To the surprise of nobody, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University and offseason winner University of the Philippines are seen to set the standard in the upcoming UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Asked about the favored squads in the return of the collegiate cage wars on Saturday, all six coaches who answered during the preseason press conference mentioned the Blue Eagles and Fighting Maroons.
The two teams lost much of their core from the most recent tournament, with Ateneo now minus Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, William Navarro, Adrian Wong, and Nieto twins Mike and Matt, and UP now without Kobe Paras, Bright Akhuetie, Jun Manzo, and Gomez de Liaño brothers Javi and Juan.
Still, both squads have key holdovers to pair with talented transferees and prized recruits.
For the Blue Eagles, captain Gian Mamuyac, man in the middle Ange Kouame, and the potent backcourt of Tyler Tio and SJ Belangel welcome the homecoming Dave Ildefonso as well as former Blue Eaglets Forthsky Padrigao and Joshua Lazaro and Filipino-American guard Chris Koon.
Meanwhile, Fighting Maroons skipper Noah Webb and Ricci Rivero will be flanked by high school stars Carl Tamayo and Terrence Fortea, Fil-for Zav Lucero, veteran guard CJ Cansino, and Senegalese tower Malick Diouf.
And most interesting of all? The two fancied sides’ first matchup will be opposite each other in a “Battle of Katipunan” inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 4:00 PM on opening day.
Of course, the other teams are no slouches, with Far Eastern University flying under the radar, but ready and raring to surprise as always; De La Salle University reloading with so many new weapons to surround big gun Justine Baltazar; University of Sto. Tomas more determined than ever to move forward from its finals loss and succeeding tumultuous last two years; National University leaning on Shaun Ildefonso and John Lloyd Clemente alongside Jake Figueroa, the most recent Boys’ Basketball MVP; University of the East eagerly anticipating the backcourt connection of Harvey Pagsanjan and Clint Escamis; and Adamson University ushering in a new era with collegiate champion coach Nash Racela.
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