12 players to watch in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s premier pre-college season tournament is eagerly anticipated for the new lineups that each school parades. There are new coaches in place as well as new players; some rookies while others are transferees.

Here are some of the new players who have impressed in this summer thus far.

Casper Pericas, Archie Salo and Yancy Remulla (Lyceum)

Their 1-2 record hardly tells the whole story. They have played without their usual first seven or eight players who were assigned to the PBA D-League. They have hardly missed a beat with a bunch of holdovers and newbies.

Now if everyone was impressed with the Marcelino brothers, they’ve got Version 2.0 right here — “the Baga Brothers” in Casper Pericas and Archie Salo. They play at the same speed, with the same mentality, and the do-it-all ethic. Imagine this duo coming in for the brothers. There is no let-up, no respite from their pedal-to-the-metal game.

And up front there’s Yancy Remulla, who looks like a huge improvement over the graduated Wilson Baltazar — except not only does he take outside shots, but he also goes in. And he has the same wingspan, except he might be a better defensive player.

Christian Fajarito (Letran)

He showed promise while in high school with FEU. Over at College of St. Benilde, it wasn’t the perfect fit. But in three matches with Letran this summer, I have exclaimed, “Lord Almighty!”

What a quantum improvement. All of a sudden, he’s a tireless jumping jack. He has improved his range, and plays with a purpose if not a chip on his shoulder. And he has given Knights coach Jeff Napa depth in the frontline that already boasts of Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot and Christian Balagasay.

A joy to watch.

Shaun Ildefonso (NU)

I have to admit, I really wasn’t impressed with his game before. Maybe he played out of position while with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets and Blue Eagles. But right now, he’s playing with a confidence that he has never displayed before. He attacks with purpose, can shoot and plays with better court awareness. Could be a sleeper and impact player in the mold of former Ateneo teammate, Mike Nieto.

JP Maguliano and Philip Tampoc (EAC)

The duo give head coach Aris Sison a lot of power up front. Maguliano plays like Letran’s Fajarito. Maybe a notch lower, but you have to like the upside. And I think he has a better outside jumper. When center Laminou Hamadou comes back, he should help along with the hardworking Philip Tampoc.

Given more experience, they will become really good (although I feel they are rather undersized for the four-spot).

Brandon Bates and Taane Samuel (La Salle)

Talk about Twin Towers. You can make the case that along with the much-improved Justine Baltazar, they give La Salle a Triple Tower that will be hard to beat.

However, Bates and Samuel play the game with an intelligence. They can pass. They don’t make too many mistakes. They make great reads and have range. Especially Samuel.

Maui Sera-Josef (Arellano University)

I was expecting some of the veterans to step up, but no. Instead, this Fil-Am rookie has impressed. He doesn’t look particularly impressive but his game is simple and yet effective. As he continues to adapt to the local game, he will get better.

Warren Bonifacio (Mapua)

I thought that he had a sub-par final season with the Red Robins. But in this summer, in the seniors’ ranks, he has impressed. His willingness to mix it up is something that will help Mapua up front. Plus, he’s a little more offensive minded now. One guy who plays bigger than his height.

Jarvy Ramos (Jose Rizal University)

How do you replace the silent and unspectacular but very effective Ervin Grospe? Well, head coach Vergel Meneses has this young stud in Jarvy Ramos who is in the same mold. Except he might be better because in only his first year, he is impressing. Terrific underneath the boards. Has an outside shot. Moves well without the ball. Just needs more experience in decision making.