UAAP Season 76: NU, UE tagged as title favorites

The preseason's top two teams have been tagged as the favorites for the UAAP men's basketball tournament when the league opens it 76th season this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

This was the assessment of the league's coaches during Tuesday's press conference to launch to coming season.

"UE is the summer league champion and Ateneo of course is dangerous, but the no. 1 contender is really NU," said Adamson head coach Leo Austria. "NU is designed to win it all."

"I agree with Coach Leo, but his team is also strong," said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol, whose team is gunning for a sixth straight title. "He's just trying to downplay their chances. NU and UE are strong. La Salle will also be there."

"NU and UE," said FEU's Nash Racela, who takes over the coaching reins from Bert Flores this season. "Nakita mo naman sa Filoil."

Racela also downplayed his team's chances this season, which marks the first time in several years that the Tamaraws, who finished a disappointing fifth last year, are not one of the favorites to win it all.

"I'm happy that we're not ranked in the top two or three. It relieves us of the pressure."

ALSO READ: Host Adamson aims for better finish

Always a man of few words, newly-appointed DLSU coach Juno Sauler declined to name a favorite.

"It will be exciting," he said. "All teams are balanced. Maybe we can make an assessment after the first round."

Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano, whose team lost to the Warriors in the finals of the Filoil tournament, was grateful for the favorite tag bestowed on them, and while he didn't come out and call themselves the team to beat, he also didn't totally disagree with his fellow coaches' views.

"We're very excited and really humbled for getting the tag as the team to beat," said the third-year coach. "I told the boys to embrace it. The playing field has evened out with the graduation of Ateneo's players. I hope we can translate it to wins."

ALSO READ: 'This is the year we can win it all' - Altamirano

However, when asked to name the prohibitive favorite, Altamirano picked another team.

"UST is the team to beat," he said.

Meanwhile, Warriors coach Boycie Zamar said he was flattered by the respect shown by other coaches, but insisted they weren't worthy of such a distinction, at least not yet.

"We're flattered, but bottom-line is, we finished seventh last year," said the former national coach. "I told the boys to face reality. This is the UAAP."

UST coach Pido Jarencio, in his usual comical form, thanked Altamirano for his kind words.

"Kay Coach Eric, thank you," said Jarencio, whose Tigers went all the way to the finals before falling in two close games to the Blue Eagles. "First time na nangyari ito na naging no. 1 team kami."

The UP Fighting Maroons, cellar-dwellers last season after posting a solitary win, are fielding a rookie-laden team, but Coach Ricky Dandan said they won't be pushovers.

"We have taken the attitude that every opponent we face will be a contender. The 'fighting' is back in the Maroons. We have a very young team but we will play hard."

The Tamaraws and Warriors get things going this Saturday at 2PM, followed by an interesting clash between the Green Archers and the Growling Tigers at 4PM.

Host Adamson will usher in Season 76, which carries the theme "Greatness Never Ends", with the traditional opening ceremonies at 12:30PM, where past Falcons greats led by Hector Calma will be feted.