UAAP Team Profiles

Ateneo de Manila University

Rising stars will do the job

2009 record: 13-1 (champion)

UAAP titles: 5

Last UAAP title won: 2009

Coach: Norman Black

MANILA, Philippines – Gone are the days when Ateneo would bounce the ball inside to Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who would either pound his way inside or come up with a fallaway for a swishing jumper or let the prolific Jai Reyes launch his shots from the perimeter or from beyond the arc.

Gone, too, is the ever-dependable Noy Baclao, whose timing and intimidating presence in the shaded lane had given the Eagles tremendous defensive boost that helped propel them to a back-to-back crown.

But without the troika, experts now wonder how the Eagles can win their third straight crown to become the first team to score a grand slam since the FEU Tamaraws dominated the UAAP from 2004 to 2006.

“At the beginning of the summer, we figured out a way to mask the absences of Jai, Rabeh and Noy and it’s time to move on, those guys had graduated already,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

“If we try to move back a couple of years, everybody said the same thing when (former captain) Chris Tiu left and how we’re going to replace Chris Tiu.

“Well, Eric Salamat stepped in and did a pretty good job so we just have to trust the new players that they will be able to step in and do the same,” he said.

Salamat will still man Ateneo’s backcourt this year with support to come from Kirk Long, Ryan Buenafe and Nico Salva, who is expected to carry most of the offensive and defensive load left by Al-Hussaini and Baclao.

“It’s usually that we hand the ball to Rabeh and let him go one-on-one. This year, that won’t be the case because our big men are not built that way, they don’t have the same talent as Rabeh,” said Black.

Unlike the past two years, Black said he would pin his hopes on his wingmen this season.

“We will utilize their talents and try to win games this year and the big men will probably play more of a role than they have in the past when Rabeh was the starter of the team,” Black said.

He was referring to Frank Golla, Justin Chua and rookie big men Arthur dela Cruz, Edwin Escueta, Carlo Balmaceda and Jeric Estrada.

“I think we’re still a good team,” said Black.”Playing without Rabeh and Nonoy isn’t easy. We have to work doubly hard and to make up for the rebounds and scoring that we lost. But I think we’re still there. We’ll still give them a good fight day in and day out.”

Black said Adamson, UP, UE and FEU would all be jockeying for Final Four positions while darkhorse National U and rookie-laden La Salle are also capable of springing some surprises. UST, a surprise winner in 2008, will also be there despite lacking an experienced big man.

“But we’ll be competitive, we’re going to win, we’ll be there and I still have a good team. But how good we are, that remains to be seen,” he said.

“Every year is tough, I’m telling you,” Black said. “The UAAP never runs out of good teams, that’s what college basketball is all about.”

University of the East

The goal: Better than second

2009 record: 10-4 (second place)

UAAP titles: 18

Last UAAP title won: 1985

Coach: Lawrence Chongson

Second-year coach Lawrence Chongson’s theatrics and unorthodox style worked well for University of the East last year although the Warriors fell short of their title bid after ambushing the twice-to-beat Far Eastern U Tams in the Final Four and forcing the fancied Ateneo Blue Eagles to a deciding Game Three.

This time, Chongson vowed to do better.

“We hope to improve on our achievement last year,” said Chongson.

But it will be tough, perhaps tougher than what he thinks since this year’s field didn’t only get stronger but UE also lost two key personnel.

The bull-strong Pari Llagas and the streak-shooting Elmer Espiritu will no longer be around along with the prolific Val Acuña, leaving the burden on the shoulders of the versatile Paul Lee.

“Paul Lee has been the heart and soul of this team but we will need all the support that he could get,” Chongson said.

He was referring to fifth year guard Raffy Reyes and third year players Paul Zamar and Lucas Tagarda, who have all matured both on offense and defense.

UE fan favorite James Martinez is also back after skipping last season following an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury he sustained in a pre-season game.

“There are eight teams chasing only one trophy. We have to move on even without those who already graduated and make something out of what we have right now. We’re in a must-win situation this year,” said Chongson.

With Lee as its main weapon, UE goes all out to end a long title drought, 24 years to be exact.

“My back is against the wall right from the start. I may look cool, but I’m also having sleepless nights. I am in the final year of my contract and knowing that you have to deliver because your job is on the line isn’t easy,” Chongson said.

But he stressed they won’t rely solely on Lee.

“We’ll be very predictable if we turn to Paul all the time,” Chongson said. “We’ll be more dangerous if we play as one, solid unit.”

But can they pull it off with Lee playing as decoy?

“Of course,” he said. “Winning the title depends on sheer luck and destiny. We almost made it last year.”

Far Eastern University

Top contender again

2009 record: 11-3 (third place)

UAAP titles: 19

Last UAAP title won: 2005

Coach: Glen Capacio

Its title aspirations jinxed by a spate of controversies the past three years, Far Eastern U hopes to finally live up to its hype this season with a roster so solid that it has been installed – again – as one of the two teams to contend for the crown.

“If nothing happens around, then maybe I can say that we can win the title this year,” said FEU coach Glen Capacio.

The Tams’ campaign the last three seasons has been hounded by issues ranging from an ugly shooting incident to accusations of game-fixing.

“We’re always tagged as contenders every year because we’re always strong on paper. But we have to understand that there are other factors that have to be considered, and it’s something beyond our control,” he said.

For the second straight season, the consensus among UAAP coaches is FEU is the team to beat this year.

For good reasons.

Boasting of a roster that includes Smart Gilas team mainstays Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling and veterans Reil Cervantes, Paul Sanga, RR Garcia, Cameroonian Pipo Noundou and Jens Knuttel, the Tams indeed look headed for a successful campaign this time.

Add a talented crop of rookies, including the high-scoring Terrence Romeo, who scored 83 points in a UAAP high school game for the Junior Tams, the Morayta-based squad is definitely on course for its first championship in five years.

FEU has also acquired transferees Anthony Bringas from reigning NCAA champion San Sebastian, and big men Clarence Foronda and Anjoe Latonio from Letran, further beefing up its already formidable frontcourt.

But they will be without heady playmaker Mark Barroca, who decided to forego his final season after being dragged in a late-season controversy last year.

The FEU management dropped him from the lineup at the height of the Tams’ campaign on allegations of game-fixing, the same offense that haunted the Tamaraws for the past three years that even led to a shooting incident involving their star forward two years ago.

But Capacio hopes this will be an entirely different year.

“Our chemistry is better this year, we’re now more comfortable playing as a team, no individual basketball and player egos. Everything is positive,” said Capacio.

The fifth year coach, however, has opted to downplay their chances, probably not wanting to jinx their title campaign again.

“They keep on saying we’re strong but I think it’s going to be a pretty level playing field this year,” said Capacio.

After last year’s heartbreaker, FEU hopes to finally go all the way this season and, perhaps, start another three-year reign similar to the three championships it won from 2003-2005, including a forfeiture by La Salle in 2004.

Adamson University

Armed to the teeth

2009 record: 5-9 (tied for fifth)

UAAP titles: 1

Last UAAP title won: 1977

Coach: Leo Austria

Like FEU, Adamson will go into this year’s UAAP wars loaded with weapons, ready to do battle against the best in the fold in pursuit of glory.

The Falcons kept the core of its last year’s roster headed by playmakers Jerick Canada and Lester Alvarez, swingmen Alex Nuyles and Arold Basilio and a solid frontcourt composed of Michael Galinato, Jan Colina, Eric Camson and Janus Lozada.

They added a versatile Fil-Am guard in William Stinnett and Cameroonian slot man Lionel Manyara for good measure.

“We’re optimistic of our chances, we’re hoping we could finally make it to the Final Four because we feel we have the tools to succeed this year,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria.

Austria, who steered the San Marcelino-based school to its first and only Final Four appearance four years ago, was particularly impressed with his two new recruits.

“They are going to be a big part of my rotation,” said Austria, referring to Manyara and Stinnett. “Lionel gives us more athleticism while William provides defensive energy from the wings.”

Stinnett, in particular, should be one of the new faces to watch this year.

“He (Stinnett) can dribble, penetrate, rebound, defend and shoot. His shooting will be crucial but I think his most important asset is that he can stop the top scorer of the other teams,” said Austria.

The rookie pair, together with veterans Colina, Galinato, Camson and Nuyles, will form a fierce frontline that can deliver Adamson its first championship since 1978.

“My players have a very positive attitude entering this year’s UAAP,” said Austria. “We won’t allow ourselves to be pushed around this year.”

Truly, when push comes to shove, the Falcons are ready to bully their way around even against the teams teeming with veterans as they seek to end a long title-drought in the league.

And Austria and his Falcons can get the job done.

“Winning the title in the UAAP is a long shot for us, but we’ll work hard to achieve it,” Austria said. “I believe in the spirit of my guys lately. They’ve been showing that they can really play and win all the way.”

University of Santo Tomas

Year of the Golden Tiger?

2009 record: 6-8 (fourth place)

UAAP titles: 18

Last UAAP title won: 2006

Coach: Pido Jarencio

UST coach Pido Jarencio has never run out of surprises, the way he did when he steered the Tigers to an improbable title conquest in 2006.

After two forgettable UAAP campaigns, Jarencio chose to be mysterious again by not joining a single tournament in the pre-season.

Opposing teams suspect the Tigers are using the same tactic they used four years ago when they totally skipped the pre-season tourneys to concentrate on winning the title.

It worked as UST stunned a heavily favored Ateneo in a drama-filled three-game finale.

The Tigers hope to pull off a repeat of that feat this year.

But they will have to do it without last year’s MVP Dylan Ababou, who has completed his tour of duty, and top gun Khasim Mirza.

Observers say Ababou and Mirza had left a big hole that the Tigers would have a hard time filling in although the Tigers have proved their mettle and the underdog tag only brings out the best in them.

“I say I rank my team at eighth place, at the bottom,” said Jarencio in jest. “On paper, we have the weakest team. But we’re working hard. We have the heart to give them a good fight. Winning (the championship) wouldn’t be easy. It all depends on how the boys will perform.”

Tipped to lead UST’s bid are Jeric Teng, last season’s Rookie of the Year, Chris Camus, Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna along with Paolo Pe, a 6-foot-4 slotman who helped power the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to the title last year.

They also acquired 6-foot-7 Vince Tinte, former San Sebastian Staglets Fritz and Jerome Delgado, Saint Jude’s Kim Lo and Ken Mamaril.

“I don’t want to put pressure on the boys nor make any prediction,” Jarencio said. “But one thing is sure, we will give other teams one hell of a fight.”

De La Salle University

New coach, new challenge

2009 record: 5-9 (Tied for fifth)

UAAP titles: 5

Last UAAP title won: 2009

Coach: Dindo Pumaren

New La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren will have an unenviable task of steering the once mighty Archers back to the top following last year’s flop.

But experts say the former UE mentor, who took over from his elder brother Franz late last year, will have a lot of work to do in whipping up a relatively young squad into a title contender.

With seven newcomers and four sophomores, Pumaren literally will have his hands full – of problems.

James Mangahas, Peejay Barua, Hyram Bagatsing and Kish Co had all graduated while Arvie Bringas, a top rookie prospect last year when La Salle crashed out of the Final Four for the first time since the format was introduced in the 90s, has opted to bring his talent to FEU.

But Pumaren remains unfazed by the challenge.

“I’m in the same scenario when I was starting in UE. We’re starting from scratch, we’re in a rebuilding process,” said Pumaren, who steered the Warriors to a historic sweep of the elims three years ago only to lose to La Salle in the finals.

Fourth year guard Simon Atkins is expected to step up and play the lead role, being one of the veteran players on the team along with Indonesian center Ferdinand, Joshua Webb, Alvin Villanueva and Jovet Mendoza.

Sophomores Joseph Marata and Yutien Andrada are also expected to provide some back- up although focus will be on the Archers’ talented bunch of rookies in La Salle-Zobel’s Nico Elorde, Letran’s Jarelan Tampus, San Sebastian’s Almond Vosotros and former RP Youth standout Philip Paredes.

Vosotros made his mark as Bringas’ partner during their SSC days while Tampus impressed a lot by norming 26.6 points as an Squire last season.

Not much is expected from Paredes this year but the 18-year-old 6-6 find from Cagayan de Oro is nevertheless tipped to emerge as a force to reckon with in the future for the Archers.

But Pumaren wants to focus on the present task, particularly motivating and guiding the young Archers back at least into the Final Four.

“Managing seven rookies isn’t easy,” Pumaren said. “We have to clearly define their roles because these kids are running away from the things they’re supposed to do. They tend to shy away when things are getting tough.

“But we’re still there. I think we still have a shot at No. 4,” said Pumaren.

University of the Philippines

Whipping boys no more

2009 record: 2-11 (Tied for seventh)

UAAP titles: 1 Last UAAP title won: 1986

Coach: Aboy Castro

University of the Philippines coach Aboy Castro likes to think the bleak days for the Maroons in the UAAP are over.

For one, UP will have a more mature 6-9 center in Magi King Sison, who is coming off a rewarding stint with Smart Gilas as well as more seasoned bunch of guys in Woody Co, Martin Reyes, Mark Lopez and Alvin Padilla.

Castro also acquired the talented Michael Silungan, who had to sit out two years to be eligible, and do-it-all guard Joshua Saret, who are expected to hit it off with the veterans as the Maroons make a serious run for at least a Final Four seat.

“When I first came in, I had only one senior player. At least now I have four guys who are graduating so its an older team and hopefully the experience and all the wars that we’ve been through the last two and a half years will now make us a more formidable team,” said Castro.

Silungan is 6-foot-4 Fil-Am from Harper College who can play four positions. He scored 35 points in a pre-season game and has been billed as UP’s next important star.

While Castro is upbeat on Silungan’s keenly awaited debut this season, he is more thrilled on seeing Saret play.

Saret, a rookie out of Jose Rizal High, owns the country’s record for most points scored with 89 points he made in the NCAA last year when he also made 14 assists, 13 rebounds and 11 steals for a rare quadruple-double performance.

“Everybody focuses on the 89 points that Josh scored. You have to understand that the day he scored 89 he also had a quadruple-double, that should make him a special player,” said Castro.

And UP a special team.

The Fighting Maroons closed out their campaign last year tied with the NU Bulldogs for eighth with a woeful 3-11 slate.

But Castro has guaranteed a different result this time.

“It’s now an entirely different team. It has a different makeup and I think it’s more solid. We now have the talent and the materials to advance to the Final Four.”

Truly, things seem to look up for the UP Maroons.

National University

Let the Bulldogs loose

2009 record: 3-11 (Tied for seventh

UAAP titles: 1

Last UAAP title won: (1954)

Coach: Eric Gonzales

It used to be that only the big schools with the bigger budget could afford to send their teams to the best training facilities abroad and recruit the best players in the market.

With an all-out management support, National University has changed that practice and may altogether change the UAAP basketball landscape.

“The support of management to the team is 200 percent and it’s a big factor. We’re now as prepared as the other big school teams,” said Eric Gonzales, who will be NU’s transition coach before RP Youth mentor Eric Altamirano takes over next season.

With the support of the SM Group of Companies, which now owns the school, the Bulldogs underwent training in Indiana as part of their no-nonsense buildup for this year’s UAAP battle.

They also brought in Emmanuel Mbe from Cameroon, who has completed his two-year residency and recruited blue-chip rookies in Yvan Ludovice of San Beda, Glen Khobuntin of Letran, Paolo Javelona of Bacolod City and Joseph Eriobu of Perpetual Help to underscore what appears to be the Bulldogs’ most serious bid for the crown in years.

Mbe is a 6-foot-5 defensive force and tipped to provide the defensive presence off the bench, giving Jewel Ponferrada the chance to slide back to the power forward spot.

Their arrivals should be a big compliment to the veterans in Jewel Ponferrada, Melvin Baloran, Joseph Hermosisima, Ajeet Singh and Joseph Terso.

“Our rookies are starting to complement well with our seniors. We hope it continues in the UAAP,” said Gonzales, who has sharpened his coaching skills as assistant in the pros and the collegiate circuits.

To contend for the crown and end a drought spanning over four decades, Gonzales stressed the need to toughen up on defense.

“I was asked what we need to do to make the Final Four and I answered the only way to be there is to become the No. 1 defensive team, that’s what we’re trying to do and keep on building on,” said Gonzales.

But with a young, untested squad that looks more like a gathering of high school stars than serious title contenders, Gonzales will have a lot of motivation to do.

“When I first met them last January, it was an entirely different team. But now, the confidence is already there. They now know how to play in tight situations against other bigger schools.”