Season 91 finish: Ninth place
Elimination round record: 4-14
Point differential: +6.8
Pomp and Circumctance: Victor Nguidjol, Guy Mbida, Dexter Zamora, Noah Lugo, Jeremiah Taladua, Joe Lacastesantos, Seraj Elmejrab, Richmon Sunga
Premier Cup record: Elimination Round
Recruits and Returnees: Adrian Alban, Reymar Caduyac, Jason Li, Harry Nzeusseu, Johann Rubite, Aldrin Serafica, Arben Dionson, Greco Magbuhos, Jeric Pido
| Name |
| Alanes, Shaquille Oswald M. |
| Alban, Adrian I. |
| Ayaay, Mer Jesper A. |
| Baltazar, Wilson S. |
| Bulawan, Jebb B. |
| Caduyac, Reymar B. |
| Gabayni, Joseph Angelo B. |
| Li, Jason L. |
| Malabanan, Allyn Mark A. |
| Marata, Edcor C. |
| Nzeusseu, Mike Harry |
| Rubite, Johann Red V. |
| Serafica, Aldrin D. |
| Soliman, Paul John Q. |
| Soriano, Khen T. |
| Dionson, Arben |
| Magbuhos, Greco Louie V. |
| Pido, Jeric James G. |
Assessment
The Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates have always presented a good team on paper. Keyword: ON PAPER.
The first year of Topex Robinson with the Pirates has been plagued by various off-court problems. Last season, they lost Dexter Zamora to an ACL injury during a tune-up game in Bohol. Leading scorer Joseph Gabayni was suspended by the team midway through their campaign due to disciplinary reasons while former NCAA Juniors MVP Noah Lugo went MIA in the second round of the tournament.
Same can be said about the team after a tumultuous summer. Gabayni figured in a motorcycle accident that will cause him to miss the first round. Foreign student-athlete Victor Nguidjol was lost to the NBA D-League no less. To cap their dark summer, Dexter Zamora was dropped by the school due to “disciplinary reasons.” The only bright light for the Pirates was nabbing CJ Perez out of Katipunan but Perez will have to sit-out this season due to residency.
Moreover, the rookies of the team failed to impress during pre-season.
With these circumstances, the troika of Jebb Bulawan, Wilson Baltazar, and Shaq Alanes need to work double-time for the Pirates this year, Bulawan especially.
With their current roster, it will be tough for the Pirates to even match their four win season last year. Maybe they can sweep their series against the Benilde Blazers.
Lyceum is hoping though that the transfer of Perez serves as a good precedent that will help bring in more talent to the school’s suffering basketball program.
(Assistant) Quotes Jeff Perlas
“I know, because of winning the championship last year, the winning attitude andiyan sa players ng Letran. Madali na from them to pick it up from there.”
Prediction
4-14 (9th)
