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THE National Collegiate Athletic Association’s 84th Season kicks off on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum. Inboundpass.com will give a team-by-team preview of the country’s oldest collegiate basketball tournament, profiling each school and assessing their chances.

College of Saint Benilde Blazers
2007 record: 1-11 (7th place)
Additions: MC Abolucion; Chuck Dalanon; Christian de la Paz; Robbie Mañalac; Ardison Martinez; Dustin Posadas; Karl Stephen Santos; Aaron Umlas; Alexander Patrick Wong
Subtractions: Stan Aldover; Antonio Cadiz; Christian Cabatu; Gerald Layug; Harvey Porras; Paolo Orbeta; Kris Robles; David Urra; Martin Urra
Holdovers: Archie David; Ilie Johnston; Jacob Manlapaz; Angelo Montecastro; Jeff Morial; Garri Sevilla

Background: 2007 was the Blazers’ worst campaign in school history. After beating Mapua in its opening game, College of Saint Benilde lost a whopping 11 straight games. As the season progressed, CSB’s performances went from pitiable to horrible. The Paolo Orbeta game-fixing controversy added fuel to the Taft fire, and nothing seemed to go right.

Key changes: The biggest change took place at the coaching helm. Caloy Garcia was replaced by current Red Bull assistant Gee Abanilla. The change has paid dividends, as evidenced by the team’s performance in preseason tournaments. Clearly, Abanilla has injected a new mindset into the Blazer camp, instilling a newfound desire to play tough defense, hustle and do the little things that evade the box score – a clear departure from the laid-back approach past Benilde teams have exhibited.

The team’s make-up has also changed significantly. Orbeta is out, and so are key contributors Martin and David Urra, Kris Robles and Christian Cabatu. Center Harvey Porras was expected to play this year, but was deemed ineligible due to academic reasons. Inevitably, Abanilla has drawn up a new and different offensive scheme for his young lineup. Expected to give the Blazers the scoring sock they need are holdovers Archie David, Jeff Morial and Garri Sevilla.

CSB underwent a huge facelift over the offseason. Rookies Chuck Dalanon, Robbie Mañalac, MC Abolucion and Christian de la Paz will see significant minutes despite being neophytes.

Outlook: To say that this season will be better than last is to state the obvious. Nothing – save for an 0-14 campaign – will be worse, and I don’t think even last season’s Blazers could sink that low. CSB will definitely be more competitive this time around, perhaps better than what most people think. Morial and Sevilla are better players, while David has steadily improved his inside game. And let’s not forget the speedy Angelo Montecastro. He’s a potential zone breaker.

A pressing concern that Saint Benilde needs to address, however, is its offensive source. CSB literally couldn’t buy a basket during some stretches in the preseason, shooting blanks and failing to set up its half-court scheme effectively. If this persists, Abanilla’s wards will confront the situation they least would want to – getting blown out as early as the second or third quarter.

Prognosis: CSB will definitely win more than one game this year. A 4-10 campaign and seventh place will be a good building block for the future, while five to six wins would be huge for the program. A Final Four stint, however, seems quite far-fetched.

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers
2007 record: 7-5 (3rd place, lost to Letran in the Final Four)
Additions: Alex Almario; Jecster Apinan; Derico Lopez; Nathaniel Matute; Nchotu John Njei
Subtractions: Jerome Cruz; RJ Cunanan; Carlo Lituania; Jerome Ramos; Alvin Se
Holdovers: Jhe Agas; JR Bulangis; Marc Cagoco; Marvin Hayes; Raycon Kabigting; John Montemayor; Jayson Nocom; Maui Pradas; JR Sena; John Willson

Background: The Heavy Bombers broke into the Final Four for the first time since 2002, and have shown signs of marked improvement since Ariel Vanguardia took over from Cris Calilan in 2006. Vanguardia has helped transform the JRU hoops program through grassroots player development, turning erstwhile rejects Marvin Hayes, JR Sena and John Wilson into certified talents. Inconsistency, however, remained a problem last year, and this was evident in losses to Perpetual Help and Mapua.

Key changes: Ten of last year’s fifteen players return to the fold, with six of them bringing stints from the semi-professional ranks over the off-season. Among the rookies, combo guard Nathaniel Matute and Cameroonian Nchotu John Njei will play significant roles this season, while Jecster Apinan is a lanky small forward who plays like a young Floyd Dedicatoria.

Last season, the Heavy Bombers looked like the NCAA’s version of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, insofar as game tempo was concerned. JRU did not push the ball and get on the fastbreak, instead adapting a slower and more methodical brand of ball. Vanguardia vows to change that this season. That change, if executed, will be accompanied by more wins as his squad is really built to run.

Outlook: The Heavy Bombers, despite some dismal preseason performances, remain one of the primary favorites to unseat defending champion San Beda College. Their “Super Six:� Hayes, Sena, Wilson, Marc Cagoco, Jayson Nocom and Maui Pradas are as formidable as they come in collegiate hoops. At least five out of these six cagers should be scoring in double-digits in Season 84.

One problem Jose Rizal faced last year was depth. Outside of these six players, only Jhe Agas, JR Bulangis, RJ Cunanan and Alvin Se played heavy minutes, with Bulangis, Cunanan and Se fulfilling limited roles on the defensive end. The development of Agas, Raycon Kabigting and 6’5� John Montemayor will strengthen the Bomber bench, and give JRU different looks on the floor.

Prognosis: At the very least, the Heavy Bombers should finish third in the elimination round, and play much better than they did against Letran in the Final Four last season. It won’t be improbable to see JRU cap off the elims with 10 wins, though. Jose Rizal will be the main thorn on San Beda’s side, and a finals showdown between the two schools seems quite likely. At this point, JRU should be thinking title.

Philippine Christian University Dolphins
2007 record: Suspended (10-4 in 2006, lost to San Beda in the Finals)
Additions (from 2006 lineup): George Allen; Junar Arce; Jaycee Asuncion; Rogelio Busa; Marlon Gomez; Dennis San Pedro; Stephen Siruma; Harold Sumera
Subtractions (from 2006 lienup): Jason Castro; Robby David; Gabby Espinas; Ian Garrido; Clarence Graham; Jordan Hermosa; Marwhil Javelona; Joeryl Salem
Holdovers: Lizstian Amparado; Beau Belga; Jumel Chien; Kervin McCoy; Lei Mar Navarro; DJ Santos; Jefferson Vidal

Background: The Dolphins missed last season due to a suspension meted by the NCAA for irregularities in player eligibility and identities. In 2006, PCU marched all the way to the Finals, losing to San Beda. The core of that team has been lost, either to the pros, Australia’s National Basketball League or other schools. After this season, the school will take an indefinite leave of absence from the league.

Key changes: Jason Castro, who could have still played this year, decided to move to the Singapore Slingers of the NBL. Coach Joel Dualan said he understood his star player’s move, citing the rate at which the NCAA deliberated on PCU’s fate. Gabby Espinas is now with Air21 in the pro ranks, while Ian Garrido is past the league’s age limit.

Center Beau Belga will be Dualan’s main man in Season 84 on both ends of the floor. His experience in both the semi-pro and international ranks will benefit his young teammates. Spitfire Lisztian Amparado and forward Lei Mar Navarro are solid second and third options in scoring, but won’t replace the firepower that Castro, Espinas and Robby David left behind. Rookies Rogelio Busa and Marlon Gomez should do well, while sophomore Jefferson Vidal will chip in.

Outlook: Dualan has played down his team’s chances, saying that “they’re trying to make up lost ground.� That’s understandable, but any team that takes the Dolphins lightly will suffer. Traditionally, PCU has always been a hardworking and grind-it-out team, and that style of play remains to be the Taft squad’s hallmark heading into what may be its final year in the NCAA.

Having said that, PCU will be tough defensively. Just like JRU and perhaps San Sebastian, much of the squad’s scoring will be catalyzed by physical basketball on the defensive end. A one-year absence won’t make a dent on hard work and effort, and that surely is advantageous to Philippine Christian, which never depended on flare or showtime to get the job done.

Prognosis: The Dolphins aren’t idiots, and won’t embark on what seems to be a final run in the NCAA only to be humiliated. They’ll play good ball, and at best, challenge Mapua and San Sebastian for a Final Four spot. At worst, they’ll be pushed down by the CSB Blazers. Five to six wins is realistic, while a .500 mark would be truly remarkable.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags
2007 record: 4-8 (tied for 5th place)
Additions: John Bartolo; Mark Anthony Bringas; Raymund Maconocido; John Semira; Paulo Taha
Subtractions: Omar Ampatuan; Francis de Leon; Richard dela Cruz; Juanito Quiamco; Aldrin Umali
Holdovers: Jimbo Aquino; Jason Ballesteros; Gilbert Bulawan; Anthony del Rio; Franz Delgado; Dave Najorda; Pamboy Raymundo; Froilan Saquillo; Jim Bruce Viray; Vergel Zulueta

Background: San Sebastian struggled to find its form last year despite having a competitive and experienced lineup. The loss of big-time scorer Red Vicente the year before was difficult to offset, and players like Jimbo Aquino and Dave Najorda had to find their niches on the team. There were positive signs nonetheless. Jim Bruce Viray proved to be one of the best players in college hoops, while Jason Ballesteros is tall – really tall – and imposed his will in many of the Golden Stags’ games.

Key changes: Not much. San Sebastian is one of the league’s most experienced teams. Its chemistry will be put on display this year. Coach Jorge Gallent brings his championship-winning form with Harbour Centre to the hallowed grounds of the Recollect priest-run college with the objective of restoring its championship tradition.

Point guard Raymund Maconocido is the squad’s prized recruit, and will bolster the already strong yet tentative number one position, which boasts off Pamboy Raymundo and veteran Franz Delgado. This will allow Delgado, a shoot-first guard, to move to the two should the need arise. 6’9� Francis de Leon is the squad’s biggest loss, but that makes the Stags a more athletic team.

Outlook: Scoring shouldn’t be a problem for the Golden Stags. Viray is a lethal weapon, while Aquino isn’t afraid to take the big shots down the stretch. Ballesteros is gradually becoming an effective low-post threat, while Najorda and Gilbert Bulawan will aptly assist Viray. San Sebastian’s offensive depth is scary, and the rest of the league should be scared.

Considering that the Golden Stags are a blur on offense, one cannot be blamed for thinking that they don’t need to reply on defense. Contrary to that, San Sebastian is a tough defensive unit. Gallent’s wards can play physical ball, and that’s usually translated to easy points in transition, given the fact that Viray, Aquino and Najorda are excellent finishers. One problem, though, is that the Stag point guards tend to crumble in the payoff period. If Maconocido can show the way, that dilemma can be solved.

Prognosis: The Golden Stags are this year’s darkhorses. They’re deep and experienced, and that’s a good mix for a run at the title. Realistically, though, they’ll be in the hunt for the last Final Four slot with Mapua. It would be disappointing to see them fail to win seven to eight games. A ninth may get them into a battle with Letran and JRU for a twice-to-beat advantage. Another prognosis: the Stags will drop “Goldenâ€? from their monicker. It just doesn’t sound good.

Overall prediction:
Elimination round
1 – San Beda College
2 – Jose Rizal University
3 – Colegio de San Juan de Letran
4 – San Sebastian College-Recoletos
5 – Mapua Institute of Technology
6 – Philippine Christian University
7 – College of Saint Benilde
8 – University of Perpetual Help Dalta System

Final Four
(1) San Beda over (4) San Sebastian
(2) Jose Rizal over (3) Letran

Finals
(2) Jose Rizal over (1) San Beda

Tags: college_of_st_benilde, jose_rizal_university, letran_knights, mapua_institute_of_technology, NCAA-Season-84, PCU, Perpetual-Help, Petron, Postgame, San-Beda-Red-Lions, San-Sebastian

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