Metro Manila, Philippines – The UAAP is back.
The premier collegiate sports league is entering its 89th season, and it promises the most unpredictable hardcourt battle in recent memory.
With major stars moving on, new heroes will rise in the field that has no clear-cut favorite.
Will La Salle make it twice in a row? Is the University of Santo Tomas (UST) ripe for the elusive title? How big of a fight will the University of the Philippines (UP) bring for a shot at redemption?
Here’s a quick look at all the teams heading into the wide-open race:
Green Archers aiming for back-to-back
After failing in its bid to defend the crown two years ago, La Salle now has the opportunity to get it right this time.
The Green Archers will be trying to achieve a two-peat – a feat that has eluded the green and white squad since 2001.
At the center of its title defense quest is Jacob Cortez, a proven winner whose clutch gene runs deep.
With Mike Phillips gone, its motor in the middle for years, La Salle has a massive shoe to fill at the shaded area.
Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, Earl Abadam, and Vhoris Marasigan are expected to help Cortez carry the cudgel for their proud institution.
Seven Gagate, Lebron Jhames Daep, Bonn Daja, and reinforcement Moses Kulang are all counted on to help fill the void Phillips left in grabbing the boards.
The Green Archers may have lost a centerpiece, but their depth and experience could spell the difference as they make another serious title run.
It’s Veejay Pre’s time
Life will never be the same again for UP as the “Maroon 5” composed of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda already left for the pros.
In finding its new identity, the State U is banking on a fresh face who is more than ready to showcase his talents.
Veejay Pre is arguably the biggest transferee in UAAP basketball in the past two years.
After winning Rookie of the Year with the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Season 87, he made a stunning decision to move from Morayta to Diliman in pursuit of greatness.
Pre will be running the floor with veteran guard Rey Remogat and Francis Nnoruka.
Aside from Pre, NCAA Season 99 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Payosing from San Beda University and former University of the East guard Rain Maga are also suiting up for UP.
Jacob Bayla, Chicco Briones, Gani Stevens, Sean Alter, Miguel Yniguez are back in the fold with rookie Sean Franco adding young legs to their rotation.
With a possible sixth straight Finals appearance on the horizon, UP remains a strong contender amid all the changes in the offseason.
Hungry Tigers
It has been exactly two decades since the UST last lifted the men’s basketball trophy.
This year could be its golden chance in ending that long drought.
Collins Akowe, arguably the best big man in the league right now, will be anchoring the attack for the Growling Tigers.
While UST lost its core of Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranada, the group of Gelo Crisostomo, Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, Koji Buenaflor is primed to make the leap under the leadership of Pido Jarencio.
Adding more depth to its lineup are transferee Kristian Porter, foreign student athlete Petero Osang, and rookies Kirk Cañete and Charles Esteban.
One-and-done players Landyn Jumawan, Donovan Sevilla, and Enzo Abellar will help UST bounce back from two straight Final Four exits.
Optimism is high among Thomasians as they have every reason to believe this could finally be their year.
Tamaraws charging to the top
Host school FEU is seeking to reach greater heights with a promising mix of talents.
Led by reigning league MVP Janrey Pasaol and veteran cogs Jorick Bautista and Mo Konateh, the Tamaraws are raring to go back to the Final Four after a fifth-place finish last year.
Young guns Kirby Mongcopa, Jedric Daa, Marc Burgos, Rojan Montemayor, and Luke Felipe will also provide meaningful minutes for FEU.
The biggest addition is Season 88 high school and Finals MVP Cabs Cabonilas, who will play a vital role in FEU’s hopes of reclaiming its spot on the mountaintop.
The Tamaraws have the tools to go toe-to-toe with the powerhouse teams like La Salle and UP.
Whether they can make it work or not remains to be seen.
Rebuilding Bulldogs
National University lost its main core of Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Omar John.
This leaves Reinhard Jumamoy and Tebol Garcia taking on bigger responsibilities with PJ Palacielo, Kenshin Padrones, and returning foreign reinforcement Mo Diasanna.
With its current personnel, NU is less pressured to win compared to other schools,
The Bulldogs will make life difficult and make the Final Four race tight for the contending teams.
Soaring Falcons out to defy odds
Now without main man Cedrick Manzano, Adamson University is going heavy in its backcourt depth with Monte Montebon, Matty Erolon, and Ray Allen Torres leading the pack.
Jarl Artango, Mac Jenodia, and Bill Garcia have moved up to the seniors squad from the high school program.
Jonah Precious from Nigeria will patrol the paint with AJ Fransman, who showed flashes of brilliance last season.
Sophomore Earl Medina and Zamboanga native Mat Edding are also returning to the Soaring Falcons’ nest.
Just like NU, Adamson will probably spoil the party and even turn heads in some games.
Blue Eagles take flight in memory of Rene, Divine
Ateneo de Manila University is ushering a new era in a uniquely challenging period, carrying the memories of two of its players.
The Blue Eagles met an unfortunate tragedy in June with the drowning Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Dipaculao, Aurora.
This led to multi-titled mentor Tab Baldwin ending his time in Katipunan, while the Ateneo squad had little time to prepare after missing training camps and preseason tournaments.
Jared Bahay will be guiding this edition of the Blue Eagles together with prized rookie Kieffer Alas, son of interim head coach Louie Alas.
Veterans Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano, Waki Espina, and Andrew Bongo will be relied on the backcourt and wing duties.
One-and-done players Travis Roberts and EJ Kapihe, and Grayson Rogers will provide versatility to Ateneo’s rotation.
Foreign student-athlete Sultan Baruwa will be anchoring the paint for the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo has the biggest question mark going into the new season, which makes the team the most interesting to follow.
New look, clean slate for Red Warriors
The University of the East (UE) is due for a breakout campaign in the UAAP.
The Red Warriors went on winless 0-14 stint last year, but the remnants of that group are gone.
Precious Momowei, John Abate, and Wello Lingolingo have all pursued opportunities outside the UE program.
Jheremy Godoy and Dexter Santos will be bringing their championship pedigree to UE. The two standouts helped FEU-Diliman capture the Season 88 boys’ basketball crown
Xyrus Gemao, meanwhile, will be reunited with his juniors teammates Godoy and Santos in UE.
UE high school product Louie Bual will also try to turn things around for the Red Warriors.
A new crop of players might be what UE needs in its search for relevance in the seniors level.
The UAAP Season 89 basketball tournament tips off on Sept. 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
