WILL the coveted crown remain in Katipunan — wherever that side is? It’s just one of the many questions gnawing at the league’s new season that will be answered late this year.
Coaches of the other teams are convinced reigning champion University of the Philippines and Ateneo are the solid favorites for the title in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament kicking off this Saturday.
Fighting Maroons tactician Goldwin Monteverde disagreed, however, and maintained they have a big bullseye on their backs after ending a 36-year dry spell at the expense of the four-peat-seeking Blue Eagles four months ago.
“I guess winning a championship last season doesn’t mean na ngayong season, sigurado na iyon,” Monteverde said yesterday during the league’s season launch at the Coral Way Entrance Lobby of the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think every team, every coach would really prepare and face iyong magiging challenge for this season 85. So, like sa amin naman, when we play, we just make sure that we’ll be ready and prepared, and just do our best in everything na mangyayari,” he added.
Ateneo counterpart Tab Baldwin insisted his troops will not take their foes lightly. “We don’t really plan in those terms,” Baldwin said. “We seek to take games one at a time and try to build a season.”
The Eagles lost Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio to graduation, while playmaker SJ Belangel opted to bring his act to the Korean Basketball League.
Ateneo will rely on the likes of 6-foot-11 naturalized Filipino center Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, Geo Chiu, and BJ Andrade in their bid to regain lost glory.
For National University strategist Jeff Napa, pre-season tourneys, including the FilOil tilt which the Bulldogs ruled, toughened up his squad.
“It’s a matter of gaining experience for the players, and even us coaches, para lang coming into this season, talagang mapaghandaan namin kung sino ang makakalaban namin talaga,” Napa said. “At least ang players namin, well-prepared sila coming to battle talaga.”
UAAP president Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, of host Adamson University, said the league is back to its pre-pandemic days, but still prioritizes the health and safety of all.
“Now, we are back and full of life. For the past two years, it’s not just the UAAP that was affected. The entire world was affected,” Suan said. “Emotionally, economically, socially, in one way or another, we were down. We are hoping to use the UAAP as one of the platforms in helping bring the new normal to the Filipino people. As we Rise as One, we are back to being full of life.”
Prized big man Carl Tamayo, finals MVP Malick Diouf, Zavier Lucero, and JD Cagulangan are expected to show the way for UP in its title-retention bid.
The Maroons clash with La Salle at the MOA Arena in the opening duel of the new season. The Soaring Falcons take on University of Santo Tomas in the other game.
