MEN can’t have all the fun, right?
Ladies will also get the share of the limelight when UAAP Season 87 opens this weekend, with the first sets of games for the women’s basketball tournament commencing on Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Adamson Gym.
And just like how we'll do with their male counterparts, SPIN.ph is here to take a crack at forecasting what will happen when the ball gets tipped for the female ballers.
Crown-seekers: UST and NU
No surprise here. Much like in the men’s tourney, expect last year’s Finalists to still be among the heavily favored this season.
University of Santo Tomas, ending its 17-year drought, is motivated to keep its stranglehold of the tiara as the girls of coach Haydee Ong shoot for back-to-back.
Here’s a given: Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana is expected to lead the charge anew together with veteran Tacky Tacatac.
What’s not? Former MVP Eka Soriano coming back to form after struggling with injuries last season. Truth be told, her contributions will be crucial for the Growling Tigresses’ quest to repeat.
Losing Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer and Finals hero Nikki Villasin might hurt, but UST is more than equipped to recoup from those losses with Brigitte Santos and Rocel Dionisio expected to step up.
Camille Clarin, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to redeem herself in this redemption year for National U, as the Gilas Pilipinas Women slasher will once again serve as the team’s leader.
The Lady Bulldogs have really learned a lot from losing the throne they sat on for a decade, which should give you a good idea on how motivated the girls of coach Aris Dimaunahan are to avenge last year’s defeat with a massive comeback.
Angel Surada should still be a lot to handle down low alongside Gambian center Jainaba Konateh, while anticipate Kristine Cayabyab and Karl Ann Pingol to still produce for NU as they try to fill the gaps left by Stefanie Berberabe.
And oh yeah, it’s not just the veterans which these proud teams are expected to lean on.
Even the rookies are poised to play big this year, with Karylle Sierba and Gin Relliquette for UST and the trio of Cielo Pagdulagan, Marga Villanueva, and Xyza Pring for NU.
Contenders: La Salle, Ateneo, and UP
Experience will be the biggest ace up La Salle’s sleeve, and coach Cholo Villanueva is banking on his veterans to lead the way for the Lady Archers this season after missing out on the Final Four last year.
Point guard extraordinaire Lee Sario will once again anchor the offense for the girls from Taft as she, Bettina Binaohan, and Bernice Paraiso look to replicate their huge second round stretch to a more consistent campaign this time out.
Transferees Kyla Go from FEU and Stephanie Villapando from UST should also bolster the backcourt for La Salle, as they try to push the pace in this season where they won’t have the luxury of having a foreign student-athlete manning the paint.
Their archrival Ateneo is the opposite.
Last year’s MVP Kacey dela Rosa is back for more this season as she’s expected to dominate down low for Ateneo together with Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola, much to the delight of coach LA Mumar.
Junize Calago was also a revelation after her Mythical Team selection, but all eyes will be on rookie Kailah Oani, coming off the Gilas Youth program, as she’s expected to earn her minutes at the point with the Lady Eagles reeling from the graduation of one Jhazmin Joson.
And how about UP? State U may take a bit of a bump down the ladder following the unfortunate news of the ACL injury to last season’s Rookie of the Year Favour Onoh, but the Fighting Maroons of coach Paul Ramos are still going to be a lot to handle.
The exciting backcourt tandem of Louna Ozar and rookie Camille Nolasco is a big reason for that, with the Iskos hopeful that their exceptional play with the national team will continue in the UAAP.
Kaye Pesquera, Achrissa Maw, and Shanina Tapawan are also counted on to take their game to the next level, as they look to build on State U's bronze medal finish last season.
Challengers: Adamson, FEU, and UE
Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro expects a lot from his Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina in their second year of partnership.
But for the Lady Falcons to clear the higher bars they’ve set, they would need a lot of help, one that the team expects to pull from Cris Padilla, Angela Alaba, and the pair of Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag who were part of the Gilas Women U-23 side in the Fiba 3x3 Nations League.
Novie Ornopia is also making her comeback from a knee injury, as she looks to fill the absence left by the graduation of Rose Ann Dampios.
FEU also has a more positive outlook for this campaign with legend Raiza Palmera-Dy now calling the shots from the sidelines.
It greatly helps that the Lady Tamaraws have a foundational piece in Congolese center Josee Kaputu to take care of the paint.
For them to deliver good returns, however, locals like MJ Manguiat, Shane Salvani, Maria Fe Paras, and Joann Nagma must step up for Morayta.
It’s much the same for UE.
Malian center Kamba Kone remains the center of attention for the Lady Warriors, but coach Ai Lebornio is demanding for the others to provide support.
Jearzy Ganade is back for vengeance for her final year, seeking to deliver for the Recto crew as she anticipates support from the likes of Aliyah Ronquillo and Princess Delig.
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