Barroca, pals make Tams top UAAP contender

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U, boasting of players who had polished their skills with the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team, has been installed as the team to beat in the 72nd UAAP basketball season which fires off July 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Barroca, JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos are now back in training with the Tams after taking part in the national developmental squad who competed and trained in China, Serbia, the US, Indonesia and Japan the last six months as part of its buildup for top-level tournaments and possibly a shot at a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

FEU coach Glen Capacio said the troika has improved tremendously since joining the RP team, admitting this would further boost the Tamaraws’ bid when they open their UAAP campaign next month.

“Skills wise, they’ve improved a lot,” said Capacio, “But I think the most important thing is that their level of confidence is high now compared before,” he said.

Barroca, the co-skipper of Smart Gilas, has become a solid all around playmaker while Cawaling has sharpened his outside shooting and emerged as one of the best wing defenders of Smart Gilas. The 6-6 Ramos has extended his range to the three-point area while improving his defense.

Capacio hopes to draw the best from his starters as FEU slugs it out with the league giants, led by defending champion Ateneo and last year’s runner-up La Salle in what promises to be one of the fiercest title chases in years.

“I’m not saying we’re the strongest team in the UAAP now. It’s just that we’re now more confident than before,” said Capacio. – Joey Villar