From championship aspirations to new introductions, UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball has no shortage of storylines.
After nine months of anticipation, UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball is finally upon us. It’s been an eventful offseason, with teams improving their rosters, and participating in preseason tournaments. Likewise, there will likely be rivalries from the past waiting to be renewed this season.
Without question, there will be a share of storylines to anticipate. Here are seven of them.
La Salle’s championship repeat
All eyes will be on La Salle’s first title defense since UAAP Season 80. On one hand, they’ve lost key vets Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Ef Escandor, Joaqui Manuel, and Ben Philips. Talented rookie Jonnel Policarpio has also turned pro to support his family.
On the other hand, the Green Archers have looked good in the preseason. They recently won Japan’s World University Basketball Series, while upsetting PBA teams Rain or Shine and Converge in the Kadayawan Festival in Davao.
Either way, it’s now up to Kevin Quiambao and company to come through during Season 87. Among their key additions are foreign student athlete Henry Agunane, and Gilas Youth sharpshooting big Alex Konov. Agunane has proven to be a major FSA upgrade, while Konov will be an interesting project for the Green and White.
The road won’t be easier as La Salle goes for a repeat. But that’s not to say it’ll stop them in their tracks either.
UP’s redemption bid
UP has suffered heartbreaks after winning the championship in Season 84. They failed to close out Ateneo in Season 85 and a resurgent La Salle in Season 86. With this, redemption will be a continued theme for the Fighting Maroons.
Parts of the Season 84 team remain, starting with JD Cagulangan. Gerry Abadiano has been named team captain, while Harold Alarcon is expected to shine further offensively. Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez is a season wiser alongside transferees Janjan Felicilda and Reyland Torres.
UP’s offseason also included major pickups. Sought after prospect Jacob Bayla and former NCAA Division 1 player Quentin Millora-Brown will now reinforce State U. Foreign student athlete Dikachi Udodo and former UE big Gani Stevens are also debuting this season.
Likewise, UP performed well in preseason tilts. Will this translate into a third UAAP championship?
Ateneo’s continued rebuild
It’s a down time for the Blue Eagles heading into UAAP Season 87. Aside from losing Kai Ballungay, Ateneo suffered a huge blow when possible centerpiece Mason Amos controversially moved to archrival La Salle.
Without question, it’ll be an interesting time for the great Tab Baldwin. He’s now set to work with young bloods bannered by top highschooler Jared Bahay and UAAP juniors stud Kris Porter.
Baldwin does get a new deputy in Louie Alas, an NCAA champion coach with Letran in the late 90s to early 2000s. Alas is a former PBA coach, and is four years removed from his stint with the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
It’s no doubt a rebuilding team, but it’s interesting to see how much Tab Baldwin has left in his sleeve come Season 87.
Pido’s retooled UST
UST saw a glimmer of hope with Pido Jarencio’s return to España for Season 86. While it ended in a two-win campaign, what followed was a full offseason for Jarencio. Now, we’ll likely see a more complementary lineup for his system.
Former Ateneo playmaker Forthsky Padrigao and UE’s spitfire scorer Kyle Paranada are among the Tigers’ major pickups. There’s also Fil-Am Chase Lane, NCAA Juniors MVP Amiel Acido, Leland Estacio, and former Gilas Youth big Zain Mahmood.
They will also have a solid FSA in either Mohamed Tounkara or Peter Osang.
Nic Cabañero remains in España, and will undoubtedly be the team’s alpha for Season 87. Big man Christian Manaytay and guard Allen Crisostomo are other potential locks among their holdovers.
Jarencio himself will have new lieutenants in Juno Sauler and Peter Martin. Sauler is a champion UAAP coach, ironically winning against Jarencio’s UST with La Salle in Season 76.
UST was just as productive in offseason tilts, which included the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, and a series of tuneups in South Korea.
Can España’s Tigers become mighty again? It certainly seems so.
Forthsky Padrigao faces Ateneo
Off-court issues marred Forthsky Padrigao’s time in Ateneo. From personal controversy in Season 85, academic deficiencies left him out of the team in Season 86. As a Growling Tiger, Forthsky will face the Blue Eagles at least twice in Season 87.
Padrigao was a Mythical Five member in Season 85 as he orchestrated Ateneo’s championship offense that year. He’s just as dangerous offensively with his shooting touch and finishing.
Now, it remains to be seen how he’ll look when UST and Ateneo lock horns. Ateneo’s a depleted team, but it’s hard to doubt Tab Baldwin’s tactical brilliance as well.
That, plus any leftover tension, should spice things up this September.
Sean Chambers’ FEU, UAAP debut
Former Alaska import Sean Chambers will make his UAAP debut as FEU’s new head coach. He takes over from Denok Miranda as the Tamaraws look to forget their 3-11 campaign in Season 86. It’s been a down time for the UAAP’s winningest hoops program, and Chambers hopes to change that.
“Mr. 100 Percent” isn’t heading in blind either. Prior to FEU, Chambers ran JBS, a highly successful girls’ basketball program in the United States. He was also one of Tim Cone’s assistant coaches in Gilas’ Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.
Chambers’ Gilas stint should be timely for FEU given his triangle offense. More likely than not, Chambers took home a share of learnings from Cone in Riga.
Debuting for Chambers’ FEU will be former Baby Tams Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, and Jedric Daa alongside a new FSA in Mo Konateh. Joining them are seniors Jorick Bautista, Royce Alforque, and lanky prospect Cholo Anonuevo among others.
Following their FilOil bronze finish, Chambers lauded how quick these Tams have bought into his system. More than that, this bunch is also respectful, and proudly represents the green and gold.
So while he’s yet to debut, it’s safe to assume that the Tams are bound for an improvement heading into Season 87.
UE and Adamson’s respective transitions
The UE Red Warriors and Adamson Soaring Falcons are in a transition phase. UE lost key cogs Rey Remogat to UP and Abdul Sawat to graduation.
Jerom Lastimosa has exhausted his eligibility for Adamson, alongside seniors Jed Colonia, Magbuhos brothers Vince and Wilfrey, and Joem Sabandal. Guard Didat Hanapi also left the Falcons’ nest after turning pro in the MPBL.
UE has shown signs of life under Jack Santiago, while Adamson has been in the Final Four doorstep under Nash Racela. Simply put, it’ll be a matter of trying to sustain their growth for Season 87.
After all, UE still has the sharpshooting Jack Cruz-Dumont and top FSA Precious Momowei to build around. Meanwhile, Adamson remains intact with stalwarts Cedrick Manzano, Joshua Yerro, and Monty Montebon remaining in San Marcelino.
Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Season 86 media team.