OH shoot, here we go again.
With UAAP Season 88 right around the corner, it’s that time again when fans and critics unearth their magical crystal balls and make their predictions on how things will play out.
And let us make the first guess: this season won’t be a two-team horserace.
READ: The must-see matchups in UAAP Season 88
Though there’s still a good chance that we’ll see Part III of the showdown between the last two UAAP champions in the University of the Philippines and La Salle, that’s not much of a certainty given how all teams have retooled in the offseason.
That only makes the race to the top a lot more interesting with many, us included, feeling that this year will be a little bit more open and competitive.
With that, this is SPIN.ph’s fearless forecast for the men’s basketball tournament, as we try to see where teams will fall three months from now.
(1) La Salle Green Archers
Talk about gearing up for a redemption tour.
After Kevin Quiambao left, the back-to-back UAAP MVP was confident about what he was leaving in La Salle, and boy, what a resbak this is.
With Mike Phillips now thrust into the lead role, the Green Archers reinforced their unit with the quartet of Jacob Cortez, Kean Baclaan, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo coming in to try and bring the crown back to Taft.
LA SALLE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Great expectations, meet Green Archers
The fact that the weakest part of this green-and-white crew is the foreign student-athlete spot given back to Bright Nwankwo might just be an overstatement on how strong this team of coach Topex Robinson is on paper, as they addressed their weak points last year at the 1 with the entry of Cortez and Baclaan, while also doubling down on size after adding rookie Lebron Jhames Daep.
It’s hard to bet against La Salle and we can’t fault you for placing your bets now.
(2) UP Fighting Maroons
In the same grain, it feels sacrilegious to doubt the defending champions.
Yes, UP may not be as intimidating as it was in seasons past, but it possesses something that no other team can boast of: cohesion.
UP UAAP 88 PREVIEW: It's Fighting Maroons against the world
Affectionately called the ‘Maroon 5’, the quintet of Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, and Reyland Torres are at the center of this team, with the rest of the Fighting Maroons following their lead, as they have taken the wisdom of coach Goldwin Monteverde to heart.
Of course, people still pine for the Cagulangans, the Lopezes, and the QMBs, but newcomers like Noy Remogat and Francis Nnoruka also aren’t that too bad of replacements and have shown that they’re very much capable of continuing that repeat drive.
As the great Rudy Tomjanovich said before, do not underestimate the heart of a champion and in this case, do not underestimate the heart of these Iskos.
(3) UST Growling Tigers
No other team in the UAAP is under greater pressure than University of Santo Tomas.
Not only are the Growling Tigers serving as this season’s hosts, this is also their last chance to give seniors Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao a fitting farewell - and truth be told, their best chance to swing for the fences.
UST UAAP 88 PREVIEW: This is Tigers' best shot at first title since 2006
And coach Pido Jarencio made sure they’re going for broke, bringing in key cogs of the Tiger Cubs, while also luring their biggest foe in Collins Akowe to form the most talented black-and-gold lineup since Aldin Ayo's runner-up squad 2019.
Clearly, it’s championship or bust and UST is raring to bring the crown back to Espana.
(4) NU Bulldogs
Forget about last season. Will the real National University please stand up?
Last year wasn’t an easy one for the boys of coach Jeff Napa, but with an almost intact lineup and Omar John returning, the Bulldogs are once again Final Four-dreaming.
NU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Bulldogs' big picture now crystal clear
Jake Figueroa will be front and center in this reclamation project in Jhocson, and with fellow 'OGs' Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala by his side, they have proven capable and confident of rebounding from the horrid campaign they had the last time out.
If it wasn’t felt last year, expect more bite than bark from NU this time around.
(5) Ateneo Blue Eagles
This sounds audacious, but hear us out.
Ateneo was this offseason’s mystery team, but from what we’ve seen, we’re bought, as the size and wingspan of this unit will be a lot to handle for the rest of the league.
ATENEO UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Welcome to the Blue Eagles as darkhorse era
Kymani Ladi, in his lone season for the Blue Eagles, will be hell-bent to make his mark in Katipunan and what better way than pulling the blue-and-white out of the cellar and back in contention.
Jared Bahay has also settled down in his new home (pun definitely intended), as he continues to hold the keys to the Blue Eagles nest.
And did you forget Tab Baldwin is still here? Regardless of what the future holds, the decorated mentor won’t go down without a fight and expect him to make the most of his roster in this upcoming run.
(6) Adamson Soaring Falcons
Adamson’s no stranger being underrated and probably, coach Nash Racela wouldn’t really want it any other way.
After all, this is a team that would perhaps rank low when it comes to garnering style points. Yet despite all those, they just get things done. No flash, all business.
ADAMSON UAAP 88 PREVIEW: These surprising Falcons just got taller and younger
Cedrick Manzano, for the nth time, will be the beating heart of this Soaring Falcons crew, outworking everybody who comes near him in the paint, all with the burning desire to bring his team to the top.
Mathew Montebon and Matty Erolon should also rival the best backcourt tandems in the land that even if they don’t get their due fanfare, they should also not be discounted.
Underestimate these San Marcelino kids at your own will. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
(7) FEU Tamaraws
True, Far Eastern University is more than just Veejay Pre. But it’s going to be tough taking out one of the biggest pylons in your power grid.
Even with that accounted for, this is still a dangerous Tamaraws team to battle against.
FEU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Tamaraws enter comfort zone after 'Pre-xit'
When you got an inside presence at both ends in Mo Konateh, a cold-blooded closer in Jorick Bautista, and an energizer bunny at point in Janrey Pasaol, you just can’t easily walk over these Tams.
Coach Sean Chambers is still firm in his projection of this Morayta crew being a problem, and to a degree we agree, acknowledging the potential that his roster has with guys like Kirby Mongcopa and one-and-done Neil Owens coming in.
But it’s tough to see them getting that close to the top considering how much those future plans were derailed following the 'Pre-xit.'
(8) UE Red Warriors
Finishing last doesn’t always mean being the worst.
For University of the East, this projection is a reflection on how much work coach Chris Gavina still has to do in his first year in Recto.
UE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Red Warriors giving swag with fiery Gavina in charge
What we’re counting on is for John Abate to break out in his final playing year where he’s given the green light to light up the scoreboard and be that perfect running partner for double-double monster Precious Momowei.
The Red Warriors are already laying down foundations and it’s up for the red-and-white crew to build on those pillars while the expectations are still not that high.
How to do that? To just be competitive. That’s why it all starts with Gavina’s favorite buzzword in UE: culture.
---
Randolph B. Leongson is currently a media relations officer for the UAAP's broadcast partner.
He was a former sports reporter for SPIN.ph, focusing on collegiate basketball. He is presently also the media officer for the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
