Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 4) — Defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are still the team to look out for in Season 80, but coaches expect that the road to glory will be tougher this year.
According to Ateneo Blue Eagles – last year’s first runner-up – assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, the Green Archers are definitely the team to beat.
“The defending champions are still the team to beat,” Arespacochaga said in a press conference Monday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.
National University Bulldogs coach Jamike Jarin and University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons share the same sentiment that last season’s Final Four protagonists – La Salle, Ateneo, FEU, and Adamson – will still be competitive in the upcoming tournament.
University of the East (UE) Red Warriors head coach Derrick Pumaren also expects last year’s semifinalists to make it again in the postseason.
“The top four teams will still be there,” Pumaren said.
For University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers coach Boy Sablan is confident that all squads will have an equal opportunity to succeed this year.
“All have equal chances,” he said.
Adamson coach Franz Pumaren is wary of Ateneo and La Salle’s intact roster. He further said that there will be no easy win this time around as all squads have prepared well.
“They’re (Ateneo) full of veterans, that’s why they’re scary. La Salle is still intact. There’s no assured victory for us this season,” he said.
“Any given playing date is going to be tough because everybody is prepared,” the younger Pumaren said.
FEU Tamaraws coach Olsen Racela anticipates an all-out war in a field where there is a no clear cut favorite.
“Very competitve this year. All teams are welll-balanced. We expect everyone to give their all,” Racela said.
READ: FEU coach Olsen Racela ‘excited’ to face defending champ La Salle on opening weekend
Green Archers coach Aldin Ayo said the Blue Eagles, Tamaraws, Soaring Falcons, and Bulldogs will be great competitors. He also mentioned the Fighting Maroons to be a challenging foe.
“Ateneo, FEU, Adamson, and NU. We also haven’t won against UP this pre-season, so we’re in danger against coach Bo,” Ayo said.
READ: La Salle’s Montalbo ‘hungry’ to win back-to-back UAAP titles
Season 80 of the UAAP opens on Saturday with a double-header featuring Ateneo-Adamson and UE-NU at the Mall of Asia Arena.
