Two weeks into the new collegiate basketball year, both the UAAP and the NCAA have already given their fans some unforgettable moments, good or bad.
From Kevin Quiambao’s takeover against National University to Emilio Aguinaldo College breaking its 27-game losing streak spanning 15 whole years against San Beda, the wait for Philippine collegiate basketball’s return was beyond worth it.
Every avid fan of Filipino college basketball has gotten that message from their friends telling them to tune into the dying minutes of a potential upset thriller – only to be met with the alma maters of both teams once they’ve finally made it to their TV.
Missing a hair-raising, emotionally-charged UAAP or NCAA game is one of the worst feelings in the world, which is why I’m here to do what I can and make sure you know which schools’ games you need to keep your eyes glued onto.
As part of my hunt to watch the best college hoops the Philippines has to offer, I’ve taken the liberty to scour through all 18 teams across the UAAP and NCAA and rank them based on which ones have been giving us the best basketball so far this year.
The list has been masterfully formulated through my completely unscientific opinion. I’ve taken into account factors like strength of schedule, talent, team success, pace of play, and what the numbers say to varying degrees of importance.
Regardless if you’re an analytics nerd or a “that boy nice” watcher, you’re bound to find some value in these rankings and learn about which UAAP or NCAA teams you’d want to tune into.
Here are the Good Hoops Hunting: Collegiate Basketball Power Rankings after the first two weeks of the collegiate year.
1. University of the Philippines (4-0)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
While UP’s games haven’t been the most competitive so far – they’ve won all four of their match-ups by an average margin of victory of 16 points – head coach Goldwyn Montverde has his squad playing some beautiful basketball.
Quentin Millora-Brown looks absolutely unstoppable inside, JD Cagulangan is scorching from outside, and they’ve been moving the ball beautifully, leading both leagues with a whopping 22 assists per game.
While their shooters stay hot and their bigs remain unguardable, it will always be fun to watch UP dissect opposing defenses throughout the season.
2. De La Salle University (3-1)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The defending champions have had some of the most entertaining games in the UAAP thus far. From the NU thriller to the nearly-completed 17-point comeback against UE, La Salle has given us some dramatic finishes.
And thankfully for us, their games are bound to get more entertaining as the season progresses.
While they haven’t been as dominant as UP, the Green and White are still a force to be reckoned with, boasting a 97.52 ORTG and 84.09 DRTG, both second in the UAAP per Ryan Alba.
Of course, Kevin Quiambao remains the biggest name in college basketball, and La Salle will always be a must-watch team with him running the show.
3. College of Saint Benilde (4-1)
Even after Letran sent the Blazers crashing back down to earth, Benilde has still been the most commanding team in the NCAA, and they can destroy teams in a variety of ways.
Tony Ynot’s two-way versatility has Benilde second in the league at fastbreak points (15.4 per game). Meanwhile, Allen Liwag’s imposing presence in the paint has them leading the league in second-chance points (16.2 per game).
When Benilde’s shooters find their stroke from outside (23.48 %3pt, 8th in the league) coach Charles Tiu’s squad will start to look even more unstoppable.
4. University of Santo Tomas (3-1)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
An upset loss to the rebuilding Adamson aside, UST’s busy offseason looks to be paying off for them. Forthsky Padrigao has the Tigers playing with incredible pace, while Christian Manaytay has turned into an invaluable offensive option on the low post.
And of course, Nic Cabañero has been thoroughly enjoying the lack of double and triple teams coming his way because of the newfound talent around him.
It’ll be exciting to see how UST pans out against the likes of UP and La Salle in the coming weeks as coach Pido Jarencio looks to bring the Tigers back into championship contention.
If you’re looking for high-octane offense with a plethora of shot creators, look no further than UST.
5. Mapua University (3-1)
Reigning MVP Clint Escamis remains the most entertaining show in the NCAA. Despite much of his running mates from the Cardinals’ title run in season 99 departing for the pros, his new supporting cast looks just as capable.
Rookies Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat have wasted no time introducing themselves to the college basketball scene, both averaging 10.75 points per game.
Mangubat in particular has transitioned seamlessly from being the lead guard of the Red Robins to becoming a secondary creator for Escamis, knocking down 40% of his threes on 7.5 attempts per game.
The Cardinals look primed to get their long-awaited NCAA title, and as their rookies gather more and more experience in the NCAA, Mapua is bound to become even more dangerous.
6. San Beda University (3-2)
San Beda has had mixed results to begin its title defense season, blowing Lyceum of the Philippines University out of the water in one game, then losing for the first time in 15 years to Emilio Aguinaldo College in another.
Regardless, the Red Lions look just as dangerous as ever with a team that’s even deeper than last year.
Bryan Sajonia and Yukien Andrada have been scorching the nets from three (39% 3pt), and Nygel Gonzales and Penny Estacio have filled in admirably for the loss of Jacob Cortez as their lead guard.
When the Calimag brothers start finding their groove, you’re given what is arguably the deepest team in the NCAA and a strong contender to win back-to-back championships.
7. Colegio de San Juan de Letran (3-2)
Colegio de San Juan de Letran looks to have put its nightmarish Season 99 stint behind them, rediscovering their winning ways early on in the NCAA’s centennial season.
While the Knights remain a far cry from their title-contending years, their most recent win over College of Saint Benilde has given Letran fans a renewed sense of hope. Jimboy Estrada looks like the next big Letran star and Paolo Javillonar has dominated since returning from his suspension.
Meanwhile, Deo Cuajao continues to space the floor reliably.
Head coach Allen Ricardo has done admirably avenging the disaster of season 99, and NCAA fans can count on Letran’s games to always be highly competitive.
8. University of the East (2-2)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
University of the East started the season looking incredibly shaky. After leading the UAAP last year in 3pt%, they struggled to find the bottom of the net without a floor general commanding the floor.
Moving John Abate into the starting lineup looks to have resolved those early issues for coach Jack Santiago, though. UE now finds themselves with back-to-back wins, including a massive upset over the defending champions.
As their shooters continue to find their form, UE will continue to be a fun team to watch with their ability to get hot at any given moment.
9. University of Perpetual Help Systems DALTA (3-2)
Despite losing its star duo of Jun Roque and Cyrus Nitura in the off-season, the University of Perpetual Help Systems DALTA looks as competitive as ever under coach Nash Racela’s guidance.
Much of their success is tied to the standout performances of rookie Mark Gojo Cruz, who is looking like a bona fide star in his season. The six-foot guard is averaging a team-high 16 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, holding his own against the likes of Escamis, Ynot, and King Gurtiza.
Cruz only has room to get better as the season progresses as he earns more experience in the collegiate game. As long as he mans the helm for the Altas, Perpetual will remain a tough team to beat and an exciting squad to watch in the NCAA.
10. National University (1-3)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Unfortunately for fans of National University, their poor injury luck from last year seemed to have carried over into this season.
The Bulldogs lost the services of Mo Diassana barely five minutes into their opening game against La Salle after their FSA big man sustained a knee injury. The loss of Diassana has affected their defense tremendously as NU has allowed 96.81 points per 100 possessions per Ryan Alba.
Despite their defensive struggles, head coach Jeff Napa has still kept the team competitive in games, and there’s plenty of talent on the Bulldogs to keep the pack alive for the rest of the season.
If you like scrappy, hardworking role players who crash the boards with all their might, you’ll still enjoy watching the Bulldogs.
11. Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-3)
Don’t let their negative win-loss record fool you – the EAC Generals are a formidable Final Four contender in the NCAA’s 100th season.
Head coach Jerson Cabiltes’ group was dealt one of the toughest schedules to open the season, facing the likes of Mapua, Benilde, and San Beda in the first two weeks.
King Gurtiza has proven to be one of the most dangerous three-level scorers in the NCAA, and the ever-reliable Harvey Pagsanjan looks like a perfect backcourt partner for him. As Axel Doromal settles into the EAC rotation, the Generals can catch any team by surprise with sudden bursts of unstoppable scoring.
Look no further than their historic victory against San Beda as an example.
12. Ateneo de Manila University (1-3)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo has had one of the toughest opening schedules across both leagues, and it has often been rough to watch so far this season. On the defensive end, their glaring lack of size has their defenders looking helpless against taller teams like UP and La Salle.
While coach Tab Baldwin’s offense continues to generate decent shots, Ateneo’s shooters have also struggled to get the ball in the net.
To their credit, the Blue and White have managed to keep the game competitive for some stretches in all three of their losses. However, they’ve quite often shot themselves in the foot with their struggles from three and on the line.
While they’ve gotten to the line at the highest rate among all UAAP teams (25.25 FTA/g), they’re also shooting a horrendous, UAAP-worst 56.44% from the line. Once their young stars settle down, though, look for Ateneo to be back giving the best UAAP teams trouble.
13. Adamson University (2-2)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
So far this season, Adamson has managed to carry over some fragments of their defensive success from Season 86. They allow the least points per game in the UAAP (61.25 points allowed per game) with the fourth-highest defensive rating (85.24 Drtg).
The Falcons have thrived on slowing the game down and outworking opposing teams inside, which has helped them upset UST and steal a game from FEU.
Their struggles on the offensive end continue to look more and more glaring, however, with only Cedrick Manzano, Montie Montebon, and Royce Mantua looking like consistent scoring threats.
If you’re a basketball sicko that enjoys watching a scrappy team suffocate opposing offenses in the halfcourt, you may just find joy in this year’s Adamson squad.
14. Lyceum of the Philippines University (2-2)
(C) NCAA Images
Despite breaking even in the standings column, Lyceum looks like a shell of their former selves so far in the season.
With their two wins coming by way of the rebuilding JRU and an overtime scare against Arellano, Lyceum’s struggles might become even more apparent as their schedule gets tougher.
After losing Enoch Valdez and Shawn Umali in the offseason, and having Jm Bravo taken away for the season after a spinal injury, the Pirates have been struggling to find their replacements in the rotation.
John Barba and Mclaude Guadana have stepped up as the one and two options thus far, but they will need more from the supporting cast if Lyceum wants to return to the final four.
15. San Sebastian College-Recoletos (2-3)
San Sebastian surprised many NCAA loyalists after garnering back-to-back wins to start the season. However, the Stags have since been hit with a harsh reality check, sliding down a three-game losing streak with a tougher schedule looming ahead of them.
Paeng Are and Reymart Escobido have posed as a highly explosive backcourt duo, constantly pushing the pace in transition and setting the table for the rest of the Stags.
However, Baste still has no answers for its lack of size, giving up the second most points in the paint (37.6 per game) and the second most total points allowed (87.8 points allowed per game).
The Stags will always be a fun option to watch if you’re looking for high-scoring games with a ton of pace, but those games can quickly turn into blowouts at a moment’s notice when they come across a team faster and more disciplined than them.
16. Far Eastern University (0-4)
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU’s inexperience has been the story so far for Sean Chambers’ first run as a UAAP head coach. The Tamaraws have had quite a few chances to come away with wins –most notably in their thriller against National University, where they were three JR Pasaol free throws away from an upset win.
Of their three young stars, only Veejay Pre has looked somewhat comfortable in the collegiate game, as Jedrick Daa and Pasaol still trying to learn the ropes.
Once their rising talent is better instituted into college-level hoops, FEU will be more than ready to treat UAAP fans with some thrilling basketball.
17. Arellano University (1-4)
(C) NCAA
Arellano has given NCAA viewers quite a few thrillers thus far into the season, sending EAC and Lyceum into overtime battles and giving Lyceum a run for its money.
However, they’ve struggled to close those same games out, leaving them with just one win despite staying competitive.
The hot shooting Maverick Vinoya has helped keep Arellano afloat as the rookie is hitting 52.63% of his threes. However, the rest of the Chiefs seem to avoid the shot altogether, with Arellano averaging a league-worst 17.4 3PA/game and hitting just 22.99% of them.
Given their lack of size compared to the other NCAA powerhouses, Arellano will need to generate more from the perimeter if they want to stay competitive once they face the likes of Benilde or even the fiery Mapua.
18. Jose Rizal University (1-4)
The early stages of a rebuild are rarely a pretty sight, and no NCAA viewer can doubt that these are the phases that the Heavy Bombers are going through in their season 100 run.
Agem Miranda, JL Delos Santos, Marwin Dionisio, and Ry Dela Rosa have all departed for greener pastures, and their absences are beyond felt on both ends for head coach Louie Gonzales.
What was once a top defensive team now finds itself allowing the fourth most points in the NCAA (80.0 points allowed per game), and they no longer have the offensive weapons to make up for it.
Sophomore Shawn Argente has done his best as their primary option – the 5’9 sharpshooter is averaging 14.2 points on 30.23% shooting from three.
Still, they’ll need more production from the rest of their new squad before they can return to giving top NCAA teams a scare.
