THE UAAP men’s basketball tournament has always been the ultimate proving ground for young men chasing their professional hoop dreams, be it here in the country in the PBA or elsewhere from Japan, Korea or even Europe.
But for some of these excellent players have a lot more to prove than others, and the upcoming Season 88 is the perfect time to show it – for some, it may very well be the make-or-break point of their respective careers.
READ: UAAP teams' 'other guys' you need to know ahead of Season 88
Here we look at the players with the most to prove in the upcoming basketball wars set to open this weekend.
1. Cedrick Manzano - Adamson
For years, Cedrick Manzano has been the rock of the Adamson Falcons down low – and he had his best year last season when he posted averages of nine points and nearly eight rebounds per game in Season 87.
Now in his final year for the Falcons, Manzano is out to make the next step – not only to keep Adamson’s campaign afloat in the tough S88, but also to make a strong case for himself as one of the best bigs to come out in this class.
With a pro-ready body and steady fundamentals, expect Manzano to come out and take that leap.
2. Kymani Ladi - Ateneo
One-and-dones are definitely hits and misses. And there have been a lot of hits over the past few years from the likes of Schonny Winston to Jamie Malonzo and the most recent one, Quentin Millora-Brown.
If the Blue Eagles want to leave their forgettable Season 87 behind, then Ladi having the same impact as those mentioned above will be critical to that cause.
Looking at his performances during the preseason, there’s a reason why Katipunan is so excited to have him on board and join the likes of Jared Bahay, Kyle Gamber, Shawn Tuano and Andrew Bongo in this run. After all, there aren’t a lot of 6’8s in the country who can do what he does on the floor.
3. Kean Baclaan - La Salle
There’s no questioning the skills of one Kean Baclaan who’s emerged as a must-watch player whether he’s playing for coach Topex Robinson and the rest of the La Salle Green Archers, in a random league somewhere where he dazzles against men older his age or even in exhibition games with his good pal and internet star Malupiton.
The question has always been if he can translate that said skill to wins for a team with championship aspirations like La Salle.
How he plays alongside another brilliant young guard in Jacob Cortez and several other stars in their frontline in Mike Phillips and Mason Amos will also be something to look at cause if he blends well, this team looks unstoppable.
4. Janrey Pasaol - FEU
With Veejay Pre now out, there will be a huge gap to be filled by the players left behind, particularly in the scoring department.
While veteran Jorick Bautista will be counted on to lead the way, the FEU Tamaraws need Janrey Pasaol to continue his ascent as one of the most reliable scoring guards in the league.
The younger brother of former UAAP star and super-scorer Alvin showed glimpses of what he can do last season in his rookie year. Should he elevate his game further, then the Tamaraws could be boasting of one of the most potent backcourts in the league today.
5. Reinhard Jumamoy - NU
Speaking of backcourts, the National University Bulldogs also have an intriguing one in the form of veteran Steve Nash Enriquez, Reinhard Jumamoy and Tebol Garcia.
Of the three, it’s Jumamoy who can fill in for the Bulldogs’ flaw – scoring.
While both Enriquez and Garcia are great point guards, Jumamoy is the one who can be tasked to take over the scoring reins for coach Jeff Napa, especially late in the game when the defenses tighten up.
And with their go-to-guys in Jake Figueroa and Jolo Manansala set to play out their respective eligibility this year– this is the year that Jumamoy has to prove that the Bulldogs remain in good hands.
6. Drayton Caoile - UE
Before the offseason nobody had Drayton Caoile on their radars. That was until he took a chance, approached new coach Chris Gavina and walked into the UE Red Warriors practice to try out.
Now he has coach Gavina comparing him to one Justin Brownlee – a virtual known responsible for ending Ginebra’s eight-year title drought in the PBA before becoming one of the most beloved figures in Philippine basketball after getting naturalized and ending the Philippines’ long gold medal drought in the SEA Games.
Such comparison will put a spotlight on him, and given that he’s also one-and-done, this will only be his shot to prove his prowess in the Philippine basketball landscape.
7. Noy Remogat - UP
All eyes will be on Noy Remogat, not only because he’s one of the biggest transferees coming in this year – but he’s also taking over the spot of UP legend JD Cagulangan at the point guard position.
Like the aforementioned Baclaan, Remogat will come in as one of the most skilled players in the league – a high scoring guard who can take over at any time. But will that translate to winning basketball for UP?
Well, that’s one thing Remogat has to prove this year especially with the Fighting Maroons eyeing for their first back-to-back UAAP titles in school history.
8. Amiel Acido - UST
Former NCAA high school Most Valuable Player Amiel Acido didn’t get much burn time in his rookie season under coach Pido Jarencio but that should change this year – especially with a late explosion in Filoil last year which booked the UST Growling Tigers a return to the semifinals.
Now a year older, wiser and more adjusted to the college game, it’s now go-time for the lanky wing as he’s expected to play major minutes now, be it off the bench as reliever to Nic Cabanero or as a starter playing alongside him.
He’ll still be justling for minutes with third-year forward Mark Llemit, so don’t expect his numbers to be at par with those mentioned above. But this year will definitely reveal whether Acido’s built to be UST’s future – or just merely a part of it.
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