THE defending champion University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the La Salle Green Archers are seen as dangerous teams in Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Just like last year, they have a deep and talented pool of players, even after their key players have graduated.
The Goldwin Monteverde-coached Fighting Maroons’ core of veterans Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Sean Alter, Mark Belmonte, Janjan Felicilda, Ganni Stevens and Reyland Torres are still around.
And their new additions Rey Remogat, Miguel Palanca, Joshua Coronel, Miguel Palanca, Miguel Yniguez and Francis Nnoruka are fitting in quite well after the team went into training in Serbia, Korea and Japan.
“We got good experience from pre-season and our training abroad. Naging maayos ang transition namin,” said skipper Abadiano at Monday’s press conference for the coming season at the Gloria Maris Restaurant in Greenhills.
The team no longer have JD Cagulangan, the team’s Finals MVP and leader, and Quentin Millora-Brown, as both have graduated, along with Francis Lopez, who has transferred to the Green Archers.
On the other hand, the Green Archers still have most of the key players that made their return to the finals possible last year, even though big man Kevin Quiambao is gone.
The core of the squad has Mike Phillips, with talented transferees Kean Baclaan (National University), Mason Amos (Ateneo), Jacob Cortez ( San Beda) and 6’7” Luis Pablo (UP) coming in.
There are rookies like Lebron Daep from Letran and Guillian Quines, who are also expected to contribute.
They are also counting on other newbies like Bright Nwankwo, Earl Abadam, JC Macalalag, Mikey Cortez, Denzel Dagdag, Doy Dungo, Vhoris Marasigan, Rhyle Melencio, and Dominic Sarmiento.
“Much of the team is new. But we got experienced point guards like Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez, who can deliver,” said La Salle assistant coach Caloy Garcia, on behalf of Topex Robinson.
On Saturday, the Green Archers will take on Adamson University at 4:30 p.m., following the Far Eastern University–Ateneo matchup at 2 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena
The Fighting Maroons will start their title-retention bid against University of Santo Tomas on September 21 on Sunday, also at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena at 4:30 p.m.
