Welcome to NCAA Season 87!
The time has come to check out the country’s OTHER premier collegiate league. San Beda was invincible in Season 86 and they are raring to duplicate what they did last season.
Don’t count out the other teams though. Sure, San Beda will have a field day whipping most squads, but there are a few that could give the Lions hell.
Here's our pre-season rankings:
(10) Lyceum Pirates
The tides of change brought them to NCAA. So what if they are new guys? They will carry on their winning tradition in the NCAA, and that’s a bad thing for the rest of the league. Bonnie Tan is calling the shots for the Pirates. For Lyceum fans, I hope Allan Santos and the rest of the Pirates can pull off a strong showing and prove my article wrong!
(9) Perpetual Help Altas
New coach Jimwell Gican has this unenviable task of solving the winning formula for the host school. Looking at what they have right now, I doubt if they can pose a threat to the rest of the league. I have no idea on the wonders Jett Vidal and this roster could produce but hopefully, they could at least finish the season in the fifth or eighth spot.
(8) Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers
In light of the 150th birthday of Jose Rizal, the Bombers are entering Season 87 talent-starved. Cameroonians Nchotu Njei and Joe Etame are not listed in their lineup, and with Marvin Hayes, and JR Bulangis gone, the Bombers, coached by PBA legend Vergel Meneses, will rely on a young crew.
(7) Emilio Aguinaldo Generals
Now is the time for Argel Mendoza to take his game to the next level. At this point, he needs to have a strong NCAA season to even be considered by people when he turns pro. The Generals are now under “Mr. Cool” Gerry Esplana, and hopefully the PBA vet can help Mendoza and the rest of the Generals make a statement.
(6) St. Benilde Blazers
Hopefully, their PC Gilmore/D-League stint paid off. In his third season as head coach, Richard del Rosario is taking this year seriously. With how his first two conferences finished, the only way for the Blazers is up. Former RP Youth U-16 standout Michael Pate is with the team, but the fact is the best player they have at the moment is Carlo Lastimosa.
(5) Letran Knights
Letran now has a father-and-son theme. Louie Alas is in his eleventh year as head coach, and with the way his son Kevin Alas played for the D-League’s Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, I expect the latter to impress and upgrade his game. While this roster fares less compared with when RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra were playing for the squad, the Knights have an opportunity to shock people.
(4) Mapua Cardinals
Chito Victolero is expected to lead his somewhat intact lineup. Allan Mangahas is the team’s main moneyman and he needs to have a glorious season because as it is right now, he is not in anyone’s radar to go pro. Others in line to step up are a bunch of vets led by Jonathan Banal, Jason Pascual, Rodel Ranises, Mark Sarangay and Andretti Stevens. I expect this squad to at least contend for the Final Four.
(3) Arellano Chiefs
In their first two years in the league, the team looked capable enough to score a Final Four feat. Now more than ever, they need to level up. Leo Isaac’s squad used the D-League to further enforce the Chiefs’ success in the form of Blackwater Elite. Adrian Celada is the team’s focal point and he will try his best to send the Chiefs to the top.
(2) San Sebastian Stags
The Stags are the best team in the NCAA to foil San Beda’s title defense. Ato Agustin has left the squad, but Turo Valenzona re-enters the fold. Some of the Stags played a part in the NLEX Road Warriors’ D-League win, but the best player amongst the Stags is Calvin Abueva. The guy carried the cudgels with the exodus of Jimbo Aquino. I will not be surprised if the Stags win the NCAA title.
(1) San Beda Red Lions
Even without Sudan Daniel, the team still ranks on top. Borgie Hermida, an essential part of the squad, will be sorely missed but Frankie Lim has a lot of players in his disposal. Baser Amer is poised to be the next big thing in college. It’s hard to pick a main man for the squad because almost all of the Lions can deliver when needed. Expect Garvo Lanete to carry the scoring load.
I think San Beda will see San Sebastian again in the finals, continuing their ongoing rivalry. (SS)
