OF course, you already know the leaders, the captains, the go-to guys of each and every UAAP team.
READ: KNOW CAP: Who will lead your team into UAAP Season 87 battle?
But what about the X-factors, those who will take their teams over the hump - and perhaps even helping turn a squad from good to great?
Every side needs one, and it’s certainly true for all eight teams in the oncoming Season 87.
SPIN.ph takes a deep dive on who we feel will be the biggest difference-makers for each team in the men’s basketball tournament.
John Abate - UE Red Warriors
This may only be Abate’s first year for the Red Warriors, but coach Jack Santiago is already looking to depend on the 6-foot-1 winger as a fixture in his rotation.
More than his numbers of 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22 minutes during the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Fil-Am forward has been an energizer bunny for UE, one who isn’t afraid to dive for loose balls just to give his side an extra possession.
Precious Momowei will be the rock for the Recto crew, but Abate will certainly be one of the gears that will keep their motor running.
Royce Alforque - FEU Tamaraws
Can you imagine how better the Tamaraws would've been last year had Alforque not been injured for the most part?
Limited to just seven games, the 6-foot guard was held to just 3.3 points on 11-percent shooting from deep, on top of 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 15 minutes.
Now back in the pink of health, the homegrown slasher is motivated to make up for lost time, all the more as he seeks to perform at his best in his final playing year under coach Sean Chambers.
CJ Austria - LA SALLE Green Archers
All eyes in Taft will be on Kevin Quiambao, which means that it leaves more opportunities for other Green Archers to do damage.
That’s where Austria comes in, with the 6-foot-3 swingman happy to fill the role of being the La Salle's silent killer.
It’s hard to believe that he only collected 4.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14 minutes of action last year, but his off-ball activity as well as his no fear attitude have been one of the biggest pluses for coach Topex Robinson, which they’ll continue to enjoy in Austria’s fourth season.
Leland Estacio - UST Growling Tigers
Estacio wasted little time introducing himself to the Growling Tigers faithful, claiming MVP honors in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup before rolling on to the Filoil Preseason with numbers of 7.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 19 minutes of play.
With a lot of hype surrounding the 6-foot-2 forward with his deadly 3-and-D game, he knows full well he has to deliver come the season for coach Pido Jarencio.
Attention may be on his more heralded teammates once the campaign begins, but count on Estacio to turn heads in his first year for the black-and-gold.
Jake Figueroa - NATIONAL U Bulldogs
Honestly, it could really be anyone for the Bulldogs. But Figueroa takes the cake for how much he has already lifted his side to the next level.
Topping National U in scoring last season with 12.1 points on 30-percent shooting from deep, the 6-foot-2 forward is willing to do anything and everything for coach Jeff Napa as seen in his 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in 28 minutes of play.
This year is no different as he approaches his fourth season with a much more weighing on his shoulders, as he aims to help the Jhocson side finally break through past the Final Four.
Josh Lazaro - ATENEO Blue Eagles
Lazaro will never be one to put up big numbers, as evidenced by his averages of 1.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in seven minutes last season.
But it’s the intangibles that the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth member will always bring to the table and earn him more minutes for his fourth year under Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin.
The 6-foot-5 forward is primed for a big year in this campaign, especially with the departures of Kai Ballungay and Mason Amos opening up playing time at the 4.
Aldous Torculas - UP Fighting Maroons
Torculas never tires, and his body of work with the Fighting Maroons is a testament to that.
The 6-foot-4 forward has been steadfast for coach Goldwin Monteverde and expect that to continue in his third season in Diliman.
His numbers of 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10 minutes last year do not do justice on his importance for State U, acting as a glue guy while also providing electrifying dunks for UP.
Wawa Yerro - ADAMSON Soaring Falcons
Soaring Falcons coach Nash Racela has high expectations for Yerro, all the more with the 6-foot-2 forward now being considered as one of the team’s leaders.
Nabbing 6.9 points on 32-percent shooting from deep, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 23 minutes last season, the former University of Visayas Baby Lancer has been happy to take on a utility role for the team especially on the defensive end.
But Yerro must further showcase his skills on offense if Adamson does intend to make a big dent in the standings.
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