THERE are still three months before the collegiate season begins, but squads are already doing their due diligence in finetuning their rosters.
And the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup provided everyone an early simulation on what’s to come once the upcoming UAAP Season 87 begins.
With that, here are five takeaways for the UAAP teams.
The path to the championship still runs through La Salle and UP
Rematch, anyone?
If there’s one thing that the Filoil Preseason finals re-affirmed, it’s that La Salle and the University of the Philippines are still the top two teams not just in the UAAP, but all of college basketball.
READ: 'Means nothing': Lopez downplays UP's Filoil title win vs. La Salle
Hungry to repeat, the Green Archers are still a force to be reckoned with behind MVP Kevin Quiambao. Though coach Topex Robinson is still in search for a replacement for Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy at point guard, the Taft side’s bench is still among the deepest in the league.
Over in Diliman, the Fighting Maroons are as motivated as ever, and JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Harold Alarcon are all determined to bring glory back to the Iskos – as evidenced by how they ran roughshod over the preseason tournaments they participated in.
Want to win the crown? Prepare to topple one of these two juggernauts.
UE will go as far as Precious Momowei will take them
With a season already under his belt, Precious Momowei has the edge when it comes to experience compared to his fellow foreign student-athletes, most of whom are about to suit up for the first time.
But the Nigerian's not just the most grizzled, he can actually stake his claim as being the best.
If his double-double average of 17.0 points and 13.9 rebounds in the preseason is any indication, nobody should be surprised to see him win - or at the very least, be in the running for - this year’s MVP award.
That is, if his supporting cast in UE can do their part to provide just enough backup.
Watch out for UST
Finally, something to be excited for in Espana!
Save for Nic Cabanero, Christian Manaytay, and a handful of holdovers, this UST team really looks different from the one which played last season.
And it’s not just because of the entry of Forthsky Padrigao, who for his part, has provided much-needed stability at the point of attack.
The phalanx of new recruits has really injected new life to the Growling Tigers, with guys like Leland Estacio, Ice Danting, and Kyle Paranada all having their moments in the preseason.
Get ready to see that familiar sea of gold once again in the stands this season!
Should Ateneo be worried?
Ateneo has never missed the Final Four since Tab Baldwin took the helm in the Blue Eagles’ nest. But after a winless campaign in the preseason, there’s no question that this is the toughest buildup yet for the decorated mentor.
From a brutal schedule to the late arrival of some recruits, the Katipunan side is still searching for its identity as it approaches the coming season.
The hype from the arrival of Jared Bahay has now waned, and it’s up to Ateneo to put potential to reality, as it looks to make the most of its manpower which includes highly-touted forward Mason Amos and holdovers Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis.
It’s too early to overreact to the Blue Eagles’ struggles, though, because they still have time to figure things out.
Get hyped for the Sean Chambers era in FEU
FEU turned heads with its impressive bronze finish in the Filoil Preseason and expectedly, a lot of credit will be attributed to the renewed vigor brought upon by the arrival of the former Alaska import as new tactician.
But there's actually much more to the Tamaraws’ success: the time-tested pipeline that Morayta has built and reinforced over the years.
That’s why it’s no surprise that young guns Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, and Jedric Daa didn’t look like they missed a step once they made the jump from the juniors to the seniors. At the same time, the development has challenged veterans like Royce Alforque and Jorick Bautista to step up their game as they link up with their fellow former Baby Tamaraws.
It’s been a while since FEU has fielded a competitive team, and it’s a sight to behold to see them punch above their weight.
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