Let’s revisit our preseason list of the 10 best UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball players and see if there have been any movements.
Now that we’re at the halfway point of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, let’s revisit our preseason list of the top 10 local players and see who moved up, who moved down, who cracked the top 10, and who dropped out. This list is different from our weekly power rankings which are driven by weekly performances and include foreign student athletes.
Our top 10 after the first round:
1. Kevin Quiambao (DLSU Green Archers)
Preseason rank: 1
We got this one right. KQ has been the runaway statistical leader after the first round and clearly the best player in the league. He leads everyone in scoring and three-point shots made and is in the top five in rebounds, assists, and steals. Quiambao just needs to continue at this level for the second round and his second MVP will be in the bag.
2. Mike Phillips (DLSU Green Archers)
Preseason rank: 3
The second-best player on the UAAP’s no. 1 team. Phillips is actually third in the statistical race, but he gets the slight nod for second place in our list because he hasn’t missed a game. Motor Mike leads everyone in steals per game (1.7) and puts up a double-double of 10.0 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The main chink in his armor is his free throw shooting, where he’s hitting below 50% of his attempts.
3. JD Cagulangan (UP Fighting Maroons)
Preseason rank: 5
Cagulangan was the early leader in the statistical race, but slowed down a bit and then completely missed UP’s last two games due to injury. Mai-mai has numbers of 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, but those two missed games dragged down his ranking. The Fighting Maroons missed his leadership during their contentious loss to DLSU.
4. Forthsky Padrigao (UST Growling Tigers)
Preseason rank: 6
The Growling Tigers, off to their best start in five years, have found their court general in Padrigao, who is now the league’s best passer with 7.1 dishes per game. Padrigao’s court vision is unparalleled, and he manages to find open teammates near the basket on a regular basis. His shooting has also picked up after a slow start, and if he can finally nail down his outside shooting he could climb further up the statistical ladder.
5. Quentin Millora-Brown (UP Fighting Maroons)
Preseason rank: not ranked
QMB was a big question mark heading into Season 87. Yes, he did have impressive credentials from the US, but Fil-foreigners in the UAAP can go either way. But seven games in, it’s clear that the Fighting Maroons have found a gem of a center in Millora-Brown, who is averaging 8.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest on 53% shooting from the field.
6. Francis Lopez (UP Fighting Maroons)
Preseason rank: 2
Lopez is the highest-ranked bench player on the list, having come off the bench for UP in six of seven games. He’s thrived in this role, though, averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while leading the league in two-point field goal percentage at 72%. He just needs to keep his cool a little better as he’s already been whistled for two technical fouls.
7. Nic Cabañero (UST Growling Tigers)
Preseason rank: 4
The leading local scorer for the Growling Tigers (13.6ppg), Cabañero has the green light to shoot as he’s averaging around 13 shots per game. He’s among the best in the league in manufacturing points, either by his all-around offensive game or his ability to get to the line. His main problem is his free throw shooting (59%) and his three-point accuracy (a paltry 20%).
8. Joshua David (DLSU Green Archers)
Preseason rank: not ranked
David has the lowest scoring average among all the players on this list (5.0ppg), but his overall impact on the Green Archers is significant. He’s contributing 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, and has been the steady hand that’s directed DLSU’s offense. David has appeared to have overcome his slow start and looks poised to increase scoring output in the second round.
9. Wello Lingolingo (UE Red Warriors)
Preseason rank: not ranked
Who had UE going 5-2 in the first round on their bingo card, with a five-game winning streak to boot? That easily could have been 4-3 if Lingolingo’s spectacular off-balanced buzzer-beater against Adamson hadn’t gone in. Lingolingo is shooting an impressive 42% from deep and 90% from the line (although he’s taken just 10 free throws) and has proven he’s not afraid to take the big shot.
10. Monty Montebon (Adamson Falcons)
Preseason rank: not ranked
If the breaks had gone their way, the Falcons could have finished the first round in fourth place or even higher. Montebon leads them in scoring with 10.6ppg and the whole league in free throw shooting among qualified players with 85% accuracy. Other players might be ahead of him in the statistical race, but Montebon’s value to the Soaring Falcons is considerable.
Drops out: Chris Koon (Ateneo), Cedric Manzano (Adamson), Jake Figueroa (NU), Harold Alarcon (UP)
All images from UAAP Media Bureau.