89th NCAA: Knights, Chiefs, Altas loom as biggest threats to Red Lions
There is no doubt that San Beda remains the heavy favorite to win this 89th edition of the NCAA’s men’s basketball crown. It always has been this way since 2006. So what if the Red Lions lost veteran guards Anjo Caram, Melo Lim and recently named PBA D-League Best Player of the Conference Jake Pascual, and “Super Six” member Dave Moralde. In their place are the come-backing “prodigal” twins, David and Anthony Semerad, and former NCAA Juniors standouts Dan Sara and Van Abatayo. So yes, they are on track for a fourth straight title.
But who will step up this year to try and deny San Beda its 18th NCAA basketball diadem?
My guess is it will be anyone from among Letran, Arellano University and the University of Perpetual Help. Let's take a look at each of these teams.
1. Letran Knights
The Knights lost three key members from last year’s bridesmaid finish – main man Kevin Alas, top post player Jam Cortez, and long-time mentor Louie Alas. But they have enough quality personnel to match-up with the Lions. Of all the contenders, Letran has the most quality players in all positions. The Knights almost pulled the rug from under the NU Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the Fil Oil Cup. NU eventually bludgeoned the Lions in the semis.
With the departure of Kevin Alas, Mark Cruz now becomes the undeniable leader in this squad. A brainy playmaker with a big playing heart, the diminutive Cruz averaged 10.2 points and 3.7 assists per game last season, second only to Alas’ 20 points per outing. In the recently concluded Fil Oil Cup, he tallied a team-leading 12.6 markers per game, on top of 3.6 feeds and 1.6 steals. But more than his numbers, it’s his leadership that the Knights will need the most.
National Youth ace guard Rey Nambatac has been on the wish list of many teams but opted to stay in Intramuros. He now has the huge shoes of Kevin Alas to fill being the starting shooting guard in the team. In the Fil Oil Cup, his norms are quite notable for a rookie, with 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals. But Alas is a tough act to follow for Rey, at least for now. Nonetheless, if he maintains these averages even in the NCAA, the Knights should do just fine. Against San Beda though, Nambatac will need to do more.
Kevin Racal and Jonathan Belorio have been instrumental last season in Letran’s surprising race to the finals. Both will be seeing action still this year even when they missed several games in the pre-season due to injuries. Racal was an able back up to Alas last year, contributing 10 markers and 7.2 boards a game. This time, he is expected to be even more aggressive on the offensive end being one of the seniors in the team. Belorio had an outstanding performance in Game 2 of the finals last year, which Letran won to force a Game 3. He topscored for the Knights with 15 markers in a 64-55 thrilling win that extended the championship series. A big man with a soft touch from long-distance, Belorio will probably surpass his 6.2 points and 5.7 rebounds averages from Season 88.
But the most important player for Letran right now is the very proficient Raymond Almazan. The 6’8” lanky center left the squad in the first round last year that caused the Knights to plummet in the team standings early on. But as soon as he returned in the second round, Letran rose from the grave and won all its games except one. Almazan was the key ingredient that sparked the team’s amazing climb from the bottom to the finals. In the Fil Oil Cup, he collected double-double digits of 12.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, plus two blocks per game. With the departure of San Sebastian’s Ian Sanggalang, Almazan may be the only local who can match-up well against the likes of San Beda’s Olaide Adeogun, EAC’s Noube Happi, and Perpetual’s Femi Babayemi down the post.
Taking over from Louie Alas is former PBA head coach Caloy Garcia. The former St. Benilde Blazer is no stranger to college basketball, having been at the helm of his alma mater for a few years before he was named chief tactician of Rain Or Shine in the pro league. Caloy has also won championships with Welcoat in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League. With his experience and coaching savvy, the Knights may get another crack at the crown this year.
2. Arellano Chiefs
San Beda lost to only two teams during the pre-season – twice to National University and once to Arellano. The Chiefs displayed an astounding firepower in a 67-66 upset victory over the Red Lions. Arellano has surely beefed up its roster with more offensive threats this time, although the prolific James Forrester, who tallied 15.1 markers per game in the pre-season, remains the main man. The Fil-Canadian is one of the best gunners from behind the arc in college basketball today. And he has reliable teammates as well.
Nard Pinto is raring to make another solid showing this year. He was the Chiefs’ top gun last season when Forrester was recovering from an injury. In the Fil Oil Cup, his numbers were astonishing, with norms of 14.8 points, 5.7 caroms and 6.2 assists. The tandem of Forrester and Pinto will surely wreak havoc on the floor. They may very well be the best scoring duo in this coming season.
What’s even more bad news for the other teams is that another deadly scorer has been added to the Chiefs’ line-up of assassins. Adam Surjue, a prized recruit who sat out last season due to an ACL injury, is now ready to show his stuff. And so is former NCAA Juniors scoring record-holder Keith Agovida. The former Jose Rizal Light Bomber, who once scored 82 points in an NCAA Juniors game, is aching to return to action, this time with the big boys. Gio Jalalon and Levi Hernandez are likewise expected to chip in substantial points from the outside.
The Chiefs have undoubtedly a very deep rotation in the wings. Their disadvantage however is in the post. With no legitimate center, they will encounter major difficulties defensively against an Adeogun, Happi or Almazan.
Second year Arellano head coach Koy Banal is no stranger to winning a championship in the NCAA. And there is nothing that he would want more than to win one over the school that he led to an NCAA title in 2006 – San Beda. But more importantly, Banal certainly wants to erase the stigma of the Chiefs’ embarrassing loss to San Beda’s “Super Six” last year.
3. Perpetual Help Altas
Multi-titled basketball guru Aric Del Rosario helped UPHSD to barge into the Final Four last year. This 89th Season, he might just do the trick once more. Despite a mediocre performance in the Fil Oil Cup, winning just once in eight games, the Altas won’t be pushovers this season. They have enough weapons to emerge among the strong contenders for the crown this year.
Nigerian Nosa Omorogbe was unstoppable in the pre season tournament. He ranked first in scoring with an average of 21.9 points per game, even besting collegiate icons Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks. He is a topnotch scorer with the ability to drive strong to the basket or pull-up from beyond the arc. Against a smaller defender, he can kill with his remarkable post moves. Omorogbe is a match-up headache for any team in college basketball.
Omorogbe’s compatriot Femi Babayemi will return to action after missing the Fil Oil games due to injury. The 6’6” center is a pillar of strength in rebounding and a tough post defender. With him lurking the paint, the Altas’ outside shooters will have the confidence to fire away.
Last year’s go-to-guy Jet Vidal is no longer around but Earl Thompson still is. Although recuperating from an injury, Thompson is expected to repeat his incredible NCAA stint last year, when he averaged 11.2 markers and 6.2 rebounds.
But incoming rookie Juneric Baloria has created quite a steer in the Fil Oil, collecting 15 points per game. The rest of Del Rosario’s shock troopers will be back as well – Justine Allano, Harold Arboleda, Chris Elopre and Joel Jolangcob. UPHSD has one of the deepest benches this year.
The dark horse this year could be the College of St. Benilde. Mark Romero, Paolo Taha and Luis Sinco may be able to give new coach Gabby Velasco something to look forward to this season. After all, the Blazers had a better showing in the pre-season than the Altas, with a 3-5 card in the Fil Oil. They also played in the finals of the Fr. Martin Cup Open Division early this year but lost to the Red Lions. But they will need an extra boost in the post to be able to upset the usual contenders. Although it’s a tall order, CSB may have a crack at the Final Four this year.
The San Sebastian Golden Stags will be parading an almost entirely new line-up this season. Gone are the dynamic trio – Calvin Abueva, Ian Sanggalang and Ronald Pascual. But sensational rookie Jaymark Perez, whom many said is the second coming of Abueva, is itching to test the waters of the NCAA. He averaged 15.1 points, 9.5 boards, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals in the Fil Oil. If he keeps these digits in the NCAA, he deserves to be labeled “The Beast II.” Returning coach Topex Robinson will need to dig deep into his bag of tricks this year to make a run for the Top 4.
Meanwhile, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals cannot be taken lightly this year. Cameroonian import Noube Happi has vastly improved and should be a force to be reckoned with in the paint. He averaged 16.7 points in the Fil Oil on a 50% shooting clip. He also hauled down 15.3 rebounds per game. But Jan Jamon will need more support in the wing position.
Jose Rizal University will always be relentless on defense but may be wanting in offense. Coach Vergel Meneses will be banking on the surprising scoring prowess of former Red Lion Paolo Pontejos, who was good for 13.5 points per game in the pre season.
The Mapua Cardinals have skipped the summer leagues and remain a mystery under new mentor Fortunato “Atoy” Co. But he has as deputies former San Beda assistant coaches Ed Cordero and Boni Garcia, who have helped the Lions win four NCAA titles. The Cardinals however won’t have anymore top cagers Josan Nimes, Michael Parala, Jonathan Banal, Gab Banal and Andretti Stevens in their roster this year. Kenneth Ighalo and Joseph Eriobu may be the only ones to carry the fight for MIT.
Like the Altas, the Lyceum Pirates also got just a lone victory in the Fil Oil Cup this year. Coach Boni Tan’s troops may be able to sting a few times with their energetic games. But the shallow bench will be a major setback in their campaign this year.
The way I see it, the Red Lions will be back in the finals for the eighth straight season. The Knights’ experience might be the X-factor when they battle the Chiefs or Altas for the other finals berth.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
