NCAA Season 91 Preview

Jamil Buergo
Jun 26, 2015
13 min read

The country's oldest collegiate league, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is set to begin its 91st season on June 27 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City. Two seniors matches featuring six-peat seeking San Beda Red Lions against this year's hosts Mapua Cardinals followed by last year's runner-up Arellano University Chiefs versus the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers will serve as the curtain raiser for the NCAA basketball tournament.

NCAA policy board chairman Reynaldo Vea promises another memorable season as he expects more exciting games not only in basketball to highlight this year's NCAA tournament. The opening day games will be preceded by an opening ceremony centered on this season’s theme: “NCAA Engineered for Sports Excellence in the New Decade.”

In the NCAA press conference, Vea also announced the return to ABS-CBN of the NCAA ending its 3-year partnership with TV5. ABS-CBN will be the NCAA's media partner for the next 10 seasons starting this 91st season. “We are excited at the prospect of now handling the premiere collegiate leagues in the country which is in line with our vision to help promote sports to our Kapamilya audience, especially the youth. Together with our renewed partnership with the NCAA, we look forward with excitement in building the league and the tournament.” said Dino Laurena, ABS-CBN’s Head for Integrated Sports. With a new media partner, games have been rescheduled and will be shown on ABS-CBN Sports + Action live 2-6PM Tuesdays and Thursdays while Friday games will be shown 12-6pm.

In addition to the NCAA's announcement of reuniting with ABS-CBN, The NCAA will also change the age limit of its athletes from 24 to 25 years old starting next year due to the implementation of the K to 12 system by the Department Education. According to NCAA Mancomm Chairman Melchor Divina of Mapua, it will be implemented in Season 92. This is in line with the K-12 system that stretches high school years of students which shortens the eligibility years in college of athletes. Divina hopes the new age limit rule will address the issue.

With the renewed TV partnership and new age eligibility in place, we now look at the teams competing.

San Beda College Red Lions

Aiming for a record six straight championship (and 9th in the last 10 seasons), all eyes will be on San Beda as they try to go for what the other nine teams will try to deny. The Mendiola-based dribblers will now be coached by Jamike Jarin. Jarin replaced Boyet Fernandez who is now head coach of PBA expansion team NLEX Road Warriors.

The Red Lions will still rely on their trio of Baser Amer, Art de la Cruz, and Ola Adeogun. The Big Three is responsible for the team's above 50% point production. Adeogun (16.1ppg, 11.5rpg) is one of only five players to average a double-double last year and does most of the heavy lifting for a Red Lions. This year, he may face a more daunting task of manning the middle as he will no longer get the support from the Semerad twins and Kyle Pascual, who already played graduated.

The trio will be ably supported by holdovers Ryusei Koga, Ranbill Tongco, Javee Mocon, Dan Sara, and Michole Sorela. A lot may say that their bench is not as deep as the previous years. But if the recent Filoil Tournament will be a gauge, it is the same bench that outscored De La Salle's bench 34-2 in the championship game. Clearly, the triumvirate of Amer, Dela Cruz and Adeogun will still be ably reinforced.

Roster:

Ola Adeogun

Baser Amer

Jun Bonsubre

Jeramer Cabanag

Art Dela Cruz

Ryusei Koga

Javee Mocon

Jose Mari Presbitero

Isaiah Reyes

Roldan Sara

Amiel Sedillo

Mychole Sorela

Pierre Tankoua

Ranbill Tongco

Arellano University Chiefs

Arellano surprised everyone last year by reaching the finals with their run-and-gun offense. Although it was swept by San Beda in the finals, the Chiefs definitely showed that they are a team to contend with in the next few years.

And that is because of the emergence of Jalalon, who made it to the league's First Mythical Team a year ago. Arellano University is expecting bigger things in Jio Jalalon this year. Jalalon, fresh from taking part in Gilas cadet's recent gold medal triumph in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, will be the focus of Arellano's campaign as it eyes a return trip the finals in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament. Jalalon will be thrust into the leadership role after the Chiefs lost a slew of players, including last year's backcourt leader John Pinto.

"I've played for the country before and the experience of wearing a uniform bearing our flag helped me to become a better player," said Codinera of Jalalon. "And I know it will make him a better player."

Expected to help Jalalon are key returnees Dioncee Holts, Alfred Gumaru and Zachary Nicholls. Aside from Pinto, other players Arellano lost were Prince Caperal, Levi Hernandez, Keith Agovida, Ice Ciriacruz and Ralph Salcedo.

Last year, Arellano emerged as the top offensive team averaging 85.7 points a game. However, it gave up a league worst 82.9 points. "Definitely we'll try to tighten our defense a bit this season without slowing down our offense," said Codinera, who ironically was given a nickname as "Defense Minister" during his PBA prime.

Roster:

Nichole Bangga

Julius Cadavis

Godofredo Capara Jr.

Adrian De Guzman

Allen Enriquez

Donald Gumaru

Dioncee Holts

Jiovani Jalalon

Brylle Meca

David Mortega

Michael Salado

Ranimark Tano

Renato Ular

John Zamora

Colegio San Juan de Letran Knights

The Letran Knights are pinning their hopes on the return of their wounded leader and a new coach when they seek a Final Four return in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.

A year after falling out of grace and getting eliminated from the Final Four, Letran returned by bringing in an unknown Aldin Ayo to replace Caloy Garcia as head coach with hopes at starting its rebuilding process.

Aldin Ayo is part of the team headed by Kerby Raymundo and Christian Calaguio that won several titles in the 90s for Letran. After his stint with Letran, hestarted coaching in Sorsogon where he also served as a Councilor before taking part in the KIA Carnival coaching staff in the PBA under playing coach Manny Pacquiao. And now Ayo has a chance to boost his stock with the Muralla-based school.

"My goal is just to help the team make it to the Final Four before thinking of anything else," said Ayo. Ayo though will carry on his shoulder the pressure of coaching a team known for its championship tradition.

He will also be out to match, if not surpass, of his the three coaches before him--Louie Alas, Binky Favis and Garcia.

Alas won three titles in his long stint with Letran, Favis won one crown in 1999 while Garcia steered the school to a finals stint before losing to reigning five-peat champion San Beda two seasons ago.

The Knights also got a big boost from the return of co-team captain Kevin Racal, who tore an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) late last year that helped send them out of the Final Four race. "I'm ready, good to go," said Racal. Racal will re-join co-skipper Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac in forming one of the league's best backcourt combinations.

"We have a new system anchored on them," said Ayo referring to the troika of Racal, Cruz and Nambatac.

Roster:

Felix Apreku Jr.

Jerrick Balagasay

Matthew Bernabe

Kevin Buenaflor

John Paul Calvo

Mark Cruz

Chrisantoni Dela Pena

Tommy Gedaria

McJour Luib

Rey Nambatac

Reynaldo Publico Jr.

Kier Quinto

Kevin Racal

Itomari Sollano

Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals

Now a regular member of the NCAA together with Lyceum, Emilio Aguinaldo College looks to rebound from last year's disappointing season. Their season took a downward spiral last year starting with the sudden disappearance of Cedric Noube Happi, to allegations of poor treatment to athletes by school officials, and the infamous brawl with Mapua that led to multiple suspensions and defaulted games.

But head coach Andy de Guzman tries to be more realistic as he knows he doesn’t have a desirable lineup with a couple of rookies, undersized backcourt and raw imports. But he feels the Generals line-up that he has is enough to go a long way. “We’ll live and die with that 15-man roster,” said de Guzman, who was recently tapped to takeover the coaching reins from Gerry Esplana. “We’re not a strong team and we’re probably the weakest team compared to the other teams in the NCAA but I keep on reminding them that we can win.”

After serving as Esplana's chief assistant for the past four years, De Guzman said his team will bank on returnees forward Sidney Onwubere and guard Remy Morada, Cameroonian imports Hamadou Laminou and Adoum Mbang and a promising rookie in Emmanuel Bonleon. “Our goal is still to make the Final Four and I keep on telling them that we can make the Final Four.”

Pint-sized Francis Munsayac will also be returning for the Generals after skipping last year's tournament because of an ACL injury. Still De Guzman believes in what his court general can do and banks on him to lead the Generals.

Roster:

Mbang Adoum Abba

Emmanuel Bonleon

Dan Corilla

Enjerico Diego

John Estacio

Jozhua General

Laminou Hamadou

Jefferson Mallari

Chirst Mejos

Remy Morada

Francis Munsayac

Sidney Onwubere

Raymund Pascua

Faustine Pascual

Jerald Serrano

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers

Jose Rizal University has just gone bigger with the addition of 6-foot-10 African Abdel Poutouochi to back up Rassak Abdul Wahab in the frontcourt for the 91st NCAA basketball tournament. Poutouochi has boosted Jose Rizal's interior defense, his game resembling that of the 6-foot-8 Abdul Wahab, who was a menacing defensive presence last year and helped the Bombers make it to the round of four.

Recently, JRU ruled the Fr. Martin Summer Cup and bowed to San Beda in the semifinals of the Filoil Tournament.

The Heavy Bombers, looking to improve on their semifinal finish last year, also boosted its backcourt by getting back former starting guard Paolo Pontejos back and rookie Mark de la Virgen.

"We lost some key players this year but good thing we got several replacements," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses referring to bruiser Michael Mabulac and sharpshooter Philip Paniamogan, who have already played out their eligibility.

Comebacking Paolo Pontejos would be an important part of the rotation although Meneses said he will come off the bench since he will be starting a much-improved Trey Teodoro. "Pao's return gives the team more flexibility because he will be the sparkplug of our second team," said Meneses.

Meneses was straightforward in saying that their goal is to make the Final Four first. From there, they can start thinking of the finals.

Roster:

Abdulrazak Abdulwahab

Poutouochi Aylagnigni

Kristian Astilla

Kim Aurin

Marco Balagtas

Mark Cruz

Richard David

Cris Dela Paz

Darius Estrella

John Grospe

Gio Lasquety

Paolo Pontejos

Dave Sanchez

Tey Teodoro

Mapua Cardinals

Mapua coach Atoy Co thinks there is now way to go but up for his team that finished last a year ago. Actually, he was thinking of way, way up. Co is brimming with confidence nowadays after getting several veterans to return--Josan Nimes, Mark Brana and Andretti Stevens--and displaying a defense-minded African import in Allwell Oraeme to beef up a team that is out to make a big splash in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.

"This team will be stronger than last year so I'm a little optimistic of our chance this season," said Co in Filipino. "We've learned a lot from the pre-season and we did well in some of the tournaments we've participated," said Co, who is hoping to steer the school to its first title since winning it all 24 years ago. "The only problem we're seeing is how well we could adjust as the long season progresses. If we could adjust well, we have a strong chance this year," he added.

Nimes and Stevens were scratched off the roster last year due to variours injuries while Brana had to forego last season due to academics but they will come into the season eager to make up for lost time. Nimes should provide the offense that was a little sporadic for Mapua last year, Stevens the added defensive punch from the backcourt and the jump-shooting Brana some needed muscle inside.

Oraeme, for his part, should provide what the Cardinals lack the past seasons--an intimidating defensive presence who could match up well against San Beda's Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun. And Oraeme was quick to display what he can do with an impressive performance in the pre-season.

These four will join a Mapua team already stacked with talents like CJ Isit, Exeqiel Biteng, Raphael Layug and Justin Serrano, who were all seasoned in a tumultuous campaign a year back. Mapua is also coming off a topping a tournament in Cebu where it lorded it over some of the top schools from the Cesafi.

Roster:

Denniel Aguirre

Exeqiel Biteng

Mark Brana

Buenaventura Dela Rosa

Carlos Isit

Raphael Layug

Darell Menina

John Nieles

Josan Nimes

Allwell Oraeme

Stephen Que

Buenaventura Ralfores

Justin Serrano

Andretti Stevens

Ronnel Villasenor

Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates

The Lyceum Pirates are hoping a change of coach could also change their fortunes in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament. Topex Robinson has jumped from San Sebastian last season to take over the coaching reins left by Bonnie Tan, who has moved on to the PBA as part of the Globalport Batang Pier's coaching staff hoping to steer the Pirates to their first ever Final Four appearance since joining the league four years ago.

And Robinson is bringing with him former PBA star Rommel Adducul as part of his staff. "We're not assuring anything because we know how tough the league is right now," said Robinson. "But I have high hopes we'll do better this season because I see my players' desire to prove something."

Robinson hopes to improve on Lyceum's seventh place finish a year back with a crack roster headed by the core opf Joseph Gabayni, Jebb Bulawan, Wilson Baltyazar, Jeremiaj Taladua and the high schoring Guy Mbida.

Adducul's presence is aimed at inspiring the players to act and play like champions. Adducul, of course, is part of the San Sebastian team that won five straight championships from 1993 to 1997, the longest by any team in the league matched only by reigning five-peat titlist San Beda.

"I hope I can be an inspiration to the players and I can teach them the value of discipline, teamwork and hardwork for them to achieve the same success I had when I was still playing in the NCAA," said Adducul, who has already retired from playing.

Starting this season, Lyceum will now be a regular member of the NCAA. The league has upgraded the status of the Pirates (together with EAC Generals) after meeting all the requirements for regular status.

Roster:

Shaq Alanes

Mer Ayaay

Wilson Baltazar

Jebb Bulawan

Seraj Elmejrab

Joseph Gabayani

Joemari Lascastesantos

Noah Lugo

Allyn Malabanan

Edcor Marata

Essono Mbida

Jean Nguidjol

Paul Soliman

Richmon Sunga

Jeremiah Taladua

DLS-College of St. Benilde Blazers

College of St. Benilde will rely on speed, cohesion and outside shooting despite its lack of size when it launches its campaign in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.

"We'll be a little smaller this year but we'll be faster and a little more determined," said Blazers coach Gabby Velasco. "This is college basketball, we have to be always ready to rebuild because players can only play as much as five years," said Velasco.

Relying on "small-ball" type of game anchored on the troika of Mark Romero, Juan Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey, the Blazers defied odds and came one win away from making the Final Four and ended up fifth with an 11-7 (win-loss) record.

Unfortunately, Romero and Taha have already turned pros, leaving Grey the leadership mantle. "It's tough when you lose two of our top three players from last season," said Velasco of Romero and Taha. "But as always, we have made do with what we have and maximize in areas we feel we're strong at." And that will be speed and outside shooting.

Returning from last year's roster are reigning NCAA three-point shooting champion Travis Jerome Jonson and a slew of undersized but tenacious big men in Pons Saavedra, Jeffrey Ryan Ongteco and Ralp Deles.

Velasco also has strong hopes that one of the new guys--Gerard Castor, Edward Dixon, John Domingo, Christian Fajarito, Amando San Juan, Rene Sta. Maria and Carlo Michael Young--would emerge in helping fill the huge voids left by Romero and Taha.

Roster:

Gerard Castor

Ralph Deles

Edward Dizon

John Domingo

Christian Fajarito

Ervin Flores

Jonathan Grey

Travis Jonson

Ralph Nayve

JR Ongteco

Pons Saavedera

Amando San Juan

Rene Sta. Maria

Carlo Young

San Sebastian College Recoletos Golden Stags

San Sebastian is starting its rebuilding process by bringing in a brand new coach and a different outlook.

Losing key pieces from last year, the Stags have promoted Rodney Santos from assistant to head coach when Topex Robinson left hoping he could turn the fortune of a team that failed miserably a season ago.

"We're starting from scratch," said Santos, a former San Sebastian alumnus who is knows as "The Slasher" during his PBA prime. Santos also there will be birthpains considering that he will have nine neophytes suiting up this season. "It's a new look San Sebastian so we expect some bumps in the road," he said.

The rebuilding phase actually started last year when the Stags panned out and wound up eighth with a humiliating 5-13 record.

Santos have taken over the reins from Robinson, who eventually accepted a coaching job from Lyceum, and a team that has also lost CJ Perez, former skipper Jovit dela Cruz, Bobby Balucanag and Ranzelle Yong. Perez moved on to Ateneo, dela Cruz and Balucanag have played out their years and Yong, who had a solid rookie season, decided not to return.

This meant the duo of Jamil Ortuoste and Bradwyn Guinto will have more responsibility this year. "I have no choice but to make do with whatever talent remained although I'm confident we'll survive this year," said Santos.

And there are talents like incoming sophomores Michael Calisaan, Jerick Fabian and Ryan Costelo, who showed promise in their rookie season a year ago.

Roster:

Eravin Alvarez

Genmar Bragais

Allyn Bulanado

Michael Calisaan

Alvin Capobres

Ryan Costelo

Jayson David

Jerick Fabian

Bradwyn Guinto

Justine Mercado

Jon Ortuoste

Spencer Pretta

Jeffrey Santos

Jess Sibal

Domenick Vera

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System Altas

Perpetual Help has never won a senior basketball championship in the NCAA since joining the league decades ago. The drought could end this year.

Injected with life after getting two difference-making Nigerian imports Bright Akhuetie and Prince Eze, the Altas will be eyeing no less than win their first ever title when the 91st NCAA cage wars unfold on Saturday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Akhuetie and Eze along with reigning MVP and Gilas cadet team standout Earl Scottie Thompson have made the Las Pinas-based school a legitimate threat to San Beda's six-peat feat bid. The 6-8 Akhuetie made the biggest impression among all incoming African rookies, coming through with strong performances on both ends of the floor to help Perpetual Help top the Fr. Martin Collegiate Cup and finish in the quarterfinals of the Filoil Flying V event in the pre-season. Eze, a 6-11 specimen, also made a good account of himself and should be a strong backup to the talented Akhuetie.

For Thompson, who was a vital cog in Gilas' gold medal triumph in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore a week ago, he wants to use this season as his swan song before he applies for the PBA draft. "I hope to help Perpetual Help to win an NCAA championship before I graduate and hopefully, play in the PBA," said Thompson, a proud son of Digos, Davao del Sur, in Filipino.

Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario, however, thinks everything will hinge on Akhuetie and Eze. "I expect more from them," said del Rosario of Akhuetie and Eze. "They will be the anchor of this team, we need them to be rocksolid especially in defense. We will miss a lot of players from last year so I expect the other guys to step up more," said del Rosario.

Also expected to have bigger responsibility this year following the departture of Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda, Justin Alano and Joel Jolangcob, are Gab Dagangon, Gerald Dizon, Ric Gallardo, Kevin Oliveria and new starting point guard Crispin Elopre II.

Roster:

Bright Akhuetie

Nestor Bantayan Jr.

Nikolo Cabiltes

Antonio Coronel

Gabriel Dagangon

Gerald Dizon

Cris Elopre

Prince Eze

Ric Gallardo

Kevin Oliveria

Kieth Pido