UAAP: Solid
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Text by RHEENA VILLAMOR / Photos by BOB DUNGO JR.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) catches the limelight as it opens its 67th season for its senior and junior basketball division at the Araneta Coliseum recently. This year’s host school, the De La Salle University as represented by Danny Jose and Lito Tanjuatco, carried the theme, “Animo UAAP:
Shooting for the Stars”.
The roster of eight participating schools that will vie for the most-coveted crown led by defending champion the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University along with the Blue Eagles of the Ateneo de Manila University; the Falcons of Adamson University; the Green Archers of De La Salle University; the Fighting Maroons of the University of the Philippines; the Red Warriors of the University of the East; the Growling Tigers of the University of Santo Tomas; and the Bulldogs of the National University.
Fresh from their PBL victory last month, the Far Eastern University is still the team to beat knowing that they want to achieve a back-to-back championship for this season. Gone are the veteran players Cesar Catli, Gerald Jones, Jayvee Sierra, and James Razon but still there’s Arwind Santos, Dennis Miranda and Mark Isip to make the team solid with their coach, Enrico ‘Koy’ Banal.
The Blue Eagles welcomes Alexander ‘Sandy’ Arespacochaga as its new head coach. One of their mentors, Norman Black, facilitated summer trainings to prepare the towering boys for the season. The likes of Magnum Membrere, L.A. Tenorio, Paolo Bugia, and Larry Fonacier will surely keep the spirits high on their games despite the absence of Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales, who now play for Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The Red Warriors, on the other hand, produced a former PBA pinnacle player in the image of Ferdinand ‘Dindo’ Pumaren together with his older brother, Derek who is now the team’s consultant. Even though fearsome veteran players Paul Artadi and James Yap are now out of the team, the count of their blessings relies on old hands Paolo Hubalde, RJ Masbang, and Niño Canaleta.
Green Archers are proud to have Mark Cardona, Joseph Casio, Tyrone Tang, Jerwin Gaco, Rico Maierhofer, Joseph Yeo and Ryan Arana in their line up. In all honesty, they are the greatest contenders this season as coach Franz Pumaren pushes them to the limits in order to get back the crown that they bagged for four straight years in 1998 to 2002 at the prestigious collegiate association.
After landing on fi fth place last year, the Falcons are now getting more realistic, having players Kenneth Bono, Patrick Cabahug, Ruel Hugnatan, and Ramil Tagupa to put the school’s name back on track. They will be more of a challenge this season with coach Luigi Trillo at the helm, proving that they are the future Team to beat.
The Growling Tigers, who used to dominate the league, enters this season with a new head coach, Reonel ‘Nel’ Parado who was a former assistant in San Beda Red Lions and St. Benilde Blazers. The España-based cagers lost torch bearers Jinino Manansala, Alwyn Espiritu, Don Villamin, Derrick Hubalde, Iago Raterta, Edsel Del Rosario but the public eye is still on Christian Luanzon, Warren De Guzman, Jemal Vizcarra and rookies Japs Cian, Loureck Tong, Francis Allera, Jojo Duncil, Patrick Villanueva and Chester Taylor. This young team will surely astonish the audience with their potentials.
The loss of Jonjon Tabique and Marvin Cruz handed the responsibility of the Fighting Maroons to Jino Ferrer, Kenneth Robin, Josant Cervantes, Nestor David and Toti Almeda. With Coach Joselito ‘Lito’ Vergara, they are hoping to break the barrier that had long been extended beyond them.
An underdog tag is an overstatement for the Bulldogs mentored by Coach Rico Perez who will be starting this season with Rhey Mendoza, Edwin Asoro and Howard Flor. A lot will be expected of them after ruling the Fr. Martins Cup.
People of different ages are so interested in watching UAAP, making it the most awaited league of the year. And there’s more to look forward to… So, keep it with season 67 on Studio 23 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2:00 to 6:00 p.m..
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