It’s only fitting that the opening day of the 80th Season of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament features two intriguing storylines.
In the second game of the day, last season’s surprise runners-up Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles take on last season’s fourth-placers Adamson University Soaring Falcons, a team pegged to come of age this year.
And the coaches from both sides are still downplaying what they had accomplished last season, saying that Ateneo are still a revelation, while Adamson are still young.
“Coach Franz [Pumaren] mentioned they got a young team but they also got a young team last year. One of the factors for thier team is coach Franz and his staff, they elevated the level of their players,” said Ateneo lead assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
“So even though he’s downplaying his team a bit, we know that they’re a good team, they have very good players, and like I said, he’s a very good coach.”
“We’re still in the dark right now because the last time we watched Ateneo was a few months ago. They’ve really been playing well during the tune-up games,” responded second-year Adamson head coach Pumaren.
“So it’s gonna be tough preparing if you don’t know what’s in store for you.”
With both teams virtually intact from last year, the key match-up will be between centers Papi Sarr and Isaac Go.
Go, who is in his fourth playing year, had a breakout season last year, averaging 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds during the post-season. Moreover, he was able to keep pace with the foreign student-athletes of the league, as even reigning MVP Ben Mbala admitted that it was tough to back down the Xavier School standout.
Sarr, on the other hand, was the runner-up to the Most Valuable Player race a season ago with norms of 14.4 points and 14.9 rebounds. The Cameroonian student-athlete is looking to end his collegiate career on a high note by helping end Adamson’s 23-year Finals drought.
Opening the curtains for the new season will be the longest-tenured coach in the league right now, University of the East head coach Derrick Pumaren, and the National University’s new hire Jamike Jarin.
And Jarin has nothing but respect for the elder Pumaren while relishing the underdog role of his team.
“Coach Derrick is always humble. Liyamado sila. Liyamado sila kasi they have a veteran coach, they’re older than us. But one thing for sure, it’s gonna be a very competitive game,” said Jarin, who steered San Beda to the NCAA championship last year.
“Both of us will agree, the speed limit will be off the charts.”
Pumaren, on the other hand, believes that the Bulldogs have the upper hand against the Red Warriors, pointing to the whitewashing they had received during a pre-season tournament.
“We played them in the Finals [of a pre-season tournament], where we got blown out and got dominated. We just have to come out ready for them on Saturday,” said Pumaren.
The key match-up in the game pits Alvin Pasaol against Matt Salem.
Pasaol, Pumaren’s prized recruit last season, took the mantle of being the team’s go-to-guy during his first year, averaging 11.0 points and 5.4 rebounds and attempting 17 percent of the team’s total shots.
Jarin’s wild card will be Matt Salem, as the multi-time juniors head coach loves to tinker with match-ups. With Salem’s combination of size and range, his averages of 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds will certainly spike up under Jarin’s watch.
