If UAAP Season 88 was arguably the most competitive season in recent memory, this year is shaping up to be just as fun.
The last few seasons taught us that choosing the champion is becoming less of a science and more of a guessing game.
But somebody has to make a guess.
READ: Coaches agree, UAAP S89 title will still go through UP, La Salle
Unlike last season, when La Salle and the University of the Philippines entered as obvious headliners, the gap among top teams feels much tighter this time around.
Here, SPIN.ph gives our fearless forecast on where all eight teams will wind up - and of course, read until the end to know what our crystal ball tells us will be the finals matchup.
8. UE Red Warriors
Finishing eighth does not mean UE has nothing to offer, especially if its young pieces develop faster than expected.
But the Red Warriors have the biggest hill to climb after all of Precious Momowei, John Abate, and Wello Lingolingo departed Recto.
For now, the challenge is simple: find a way to stop the skid and snap that 20-game losing streak. And maybe, just maybe, being underestimated is the perfect place to start.
7. Adamson Soaring Falcons
Adamson once again gets the underrated tag - and it probably doesn’t mind.
With sixth-year head coach Nash Racela still at the helm, the Soaring Falcons have built a reputation as one of those teams nobody is looking forward to facing. They'll scrap, defend, and make somebody else’s life miserable.
The question is whether that identity will be enough to push them into the Final Four.
6. Ateneo Blue Eagles
Sixth may sound low for a program with Ateneo’s pedigree and all its incoming talent, but that's exactly what makes this pick interesting.
After a tragic preseason, the revamped Blue Eagles will lean on feisty Ian Espinosa, heady Jared Bahay, and promising rookie Kieffer Alas, with his father Louie taking the reins as head coach.
Ateneo has enough talent and a deeper purpose to make teams ahead of it uncomfortable. If they can turn that potential into wins, don’t be surprised if the Blue Eagles fly way higher than this ranking.
5. FEU Tamaraws
FEU sits fifth in our forecast, but the gap between the Tamaraws and those above them could be much smaller once the season starts.
With reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol anchoring the green-and-gold alongside incoming Mo Konateh and Jorick Bautista and incoming Cabs Cabonilas and Marc Burgos, the green-and-gold already has enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with contenders.
This is the kind of team that can ruin somebody else’s preseason prediction. Find consistency early, and these Tams could easily force their way into the Final Four conversation - and perhaps even the finals.
4. National U Bulldogs
National U lands fourth after finishing as top seed last season, only to get knocked out twice in the semifinals.
Now, Jhocson will have to do it without ‘OGs’ Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez, putting on the onus on captain Reinhard Jumamoy to keep showing flashes of his juniors MVP self, alongside PJ Palacielo, Kenshin Padrones, and Paul Francisco.
Then there's the history also on their side. The last time the Bulldogs won it all was Season 77, or after superstar Ray Parks Jr. and Jean Mbe left.
Defense remains NU’s bread and butter under Jeff Napa, but Jumamoy and Co. need better offense to finally end the blue-and-gold's 11-year title drought.
3. La Salle Green Archers
Defending champion La Salle is only third on our list. This doesn't mean it's out of the title picture, though.
While the Green Archers will have to defend their title without Mike Phillips, they'll still have Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo, as they take aim at a third title in four years.
Last season, they went on a Cinderella run to become just the second No. 4 seed to win the championship. Who's to say this underestimated team can't do it again?
2. UP Fighting Maroons
Of course, never count out the squad with seven straight Final Four appearances and five consecutive finals trips.
The Goldwin Monteverde standard remains a major reason for optimism, but after losing the 'Maroon 5,' this will be a brand new day for UP.
Former Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre, Rey Remogat, Jacob Bayla, and Gani Stevens will banner these new-look Fighting Maroons, tasked to carry Diliman back to the promised land.
Just like that, State U's culture and system have made it the safest bet as a playoff team, and even a finals squad. Them reclaiming the throne seems to be a good bet, as well.
1. UST Growling Tigers
University of Santo Tomas is no longer just waiting for its turn. It's prepared and primed to stake claim to the top spot.
The Growling Tigers are here because of their great balance of experience and new blood. Despite losing key cogs Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao, the 'Puso, Pride, Palaban' mantra will now be carried forward by Amiel Acido, Mark Llemit, and Best FSA Collins Akowe.
The Pido Jarencio-led squad has spent the last few years knocking on the Finals door. Now, it's high time for them to kick it down and barge into the title picture.
THE FINAL CALL
At long last, the championship round will see a new face-off, as the so-called 'Battle of Church and State' takes center stage.
The Fighting Maroons, ever-prepared under the watchful eye of Monteverde and energized by the much-welcome entry of Pre and rise to stardom of Bayla, will go all-out in their bid to reclaim the crown they last wore in Season 87.
That, however, may not be enough against the Growling Tigers who, as of right now with the season just ahead, are lurking and stalking in the tall grass, biding their time to pounce and strike for an ambush.
Either UP wins it all for the third time in six seasons or UST takes its first title in two decades - that's our final call.
Or somebody shuts us and our fearless forecast up. We'd be good with that, too.
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