UAAP Season 71 Preview: NU and UP
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National University Bulldogs
Season 70 Record: 6-8 (6th place)
Additions: Kevin Michael Batac, Mark Joseph Berry, Elmer Fabula, Marion Evan Magat, Mark Bolljovie Manito, Jerome Tungcul
Subtractions: Jonathan Fernandez, Joseph Lingao-Lingao, Cyrus Malagueño, Michael Salvado, Joseph Terso
Holdovers: Raymond Aguilar, Edwin Asoro, Mervin Boloran, Christopher Catamora, Christopher Dela Cruz, Aaron Paul Galapon, Jesse Floyd Garcia, Jonathan Jahnke, Michael Victor Luy, Jewel Ponferrada
Background: In recent seasons, coach Manny Dandan has transformed the Bulldogs from league whipping boys to perennial darkhorses. The Bulldogs were favored to enter the Final Four in Season 70, but inconsistent plays in a
couple of games left them out of the loop. Still they managed to change the landscape of last season’s stepladder semis by beating Ateneo in their final game. And for the Eagles, the rest was history.
Key Changes: The Bulldogs had a very talented starting five last season with big man Aguilar coming off the bench. But with three point assassin Jonathan Fernandez out of the team for good, Aguilar manning the paint and six players joining the team this season, Dandan will have his hands full in retaining the chemistry that made the Bulldogs a dangerous team in Season 70.
Outlook: Concerns about the depth in the point guard position will definitely play a big role in the Bulldogs’ campaign this season, as it did in some of their losses last season. Jonathan Jahnke is arguably the best point guard in the league this season, but the guy needs to take a rest too. And coach Dandan can only hope that Luy and Tungcul can step up to the challenge while Jahnke takes his needed breather.
Prognosis: Consistency especially during crunch time will definitely help NU in its’ quest for a Final Four spot. Definitely, this team is still strong (not as strong as last year’s lineup though) and will pull off upsets during the season.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
Season 70 Record: 0-14, (8th and last place)
Additions: Kevin Astorga, Don Carlo Fortu, Ronald Ray Pajela, Arvin Braganza, Francis Miguel Maniego, Paul Joseph Sorongon
Subtractions: Vicmel Epres, VJ Serios, Julius Wong, Dexter Rosales, Socrates Rivera
Holdovers: Jayfelson Agbayani, Woody Co, Migs de Asis, Czarlo dela Victoria, Mike Gamboa, Dionisio Hipolito, Mark Lopez, Andrew Marfori, Martin Reyes, Magi King Sison
Background: Season 70 was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Fighting Maroons with legendary coach Joe Lipa at the helm. To make a very long story short, problems besetting the team (mainly logistical), the way they lost games and internal squabbles within the community resulted to the unceremonious sacking of Lipa. The team was without a coach for three months or so until the appointment of National Team assistant coach Aboy Castro as replacement.
Key Changes: A yet-to-be-tested-and-proven program is the major change in the UP Men’s Basketball Team (UP MBT). And the players seem to respond to coach Castro as if they’ve been together for a long time.
Outlook: With only Magi Sison manning the slot, the UP MBT is full of tweeners, especially those manning the three and four positions. That means they will have to work extra hard to get rebounds, one of among many stats the UP MBT finished dead last in in Season 70. A couple of wins will definitely bring smiles back to the UP faithful.
Prognosis: Definitely another rebuilding year for the Fighting Maroons. Coach Castro can only hope that everybody in the UP community will give their unconditional and that the whole team, including the coaches, be spared from intrigues, especially now that UP is celebrating its centennial and hosting the UAAP as well. Will the UP MBT get out of the cellar? Your guess is as good as mine. But, as Castro said in the UAAP presscon, UP will be competitive.
Tags: Matchpoint, NU-Bulldogs, Petron, UAAP, UP-Centennial, UP-Fighting-MaroonsRelated posts
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littlemissfightingmaroon
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Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 1:11 pm
Why is julius wong out of the team? I still see him around the campus and inside the gym practicing shots.
topsy krets
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Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 2:26 pm
NU should change its name to NU Underdogs. Perhaps that will improve their luck, since Pinoys love underdogs. As for UP, they should hire their anti government activist students as defense coaches. These guys are relentless and if this attitude rubs off to their players, we’re going to see some scrappy players who’d kill just to defend in court. hahaha
Seriouly though, before I offend UP and NU students/alumni here, it’s always good to be underdogs. That should be their biggest advantage. Ask any coach and they’ll agree. There’s less pressure and if you win, even just one game, the feeling is like you’ve won the championship!
May the best team win!
Kim Lesaca
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Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 4:00 pm
littlemissfightingmaroon,
Wong was “demoted” to Team B.
Chief Waka-waka
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Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 7:13 pm
si Soc Rivera nalipat din sa Team B?
asaness
--1
Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 7:32 pm
uu nga san na napunta si soc rivera?
marck aguilar
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Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 10:53 pm
I believe that NU will bring upsets to the top contenders this UAAP Season. The thing here is how far they can go,.. Who could be their go to guy in the long bomb ranges?! Coach Dandan should tap someone that has the aura of those like Jonathan Fernandez. Edwin Asoro must contribute more to the cause of the team.. He should team up with Raymond Aguilar.
UP on the other hand, I believe, will win few games and also will bring upsets for the season. I don’t think that they must undergo again for another rebuilding phase (partly siguro). I think the best way is how to re-group this team after that 0-14 season. Coach Aboy Castro have the materials all he need to do is to put them in place at the right time.
*These two teams although they are not the formidable and strongest of them all will bring wins and give upsets to other teams.
albert ayler disciple
+0
Friday, 4 July 2008 at 10:00 am
Julius Wong should just go back to Letran and let Alas use him the proper way. He has too much talent to be with team B.
pogi
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Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 6:38 pm
congrats to maroons for their 1st win after going 0-14 last season.
Chief Waka-waka
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Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 7:36 pm
galing ng UP, tuloy-tuloy na sana ang panalo nila.
dugong maroon
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Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 8:08 pm
go UP,,,let’s fight and show that we dominate every filed of endeavor ndi lang acads hehe
penchant
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Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 10:49 pm
congrats to UP fighting maroons… i hope that they will continue der momentum up to d end of the elims. :-)
ginostyles
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Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 11:29 pm
Fight Fight UP Fight! Congrats Maroons… Im a bit upset la salle lost earlier.. good thing UP won.. hehehe…
ponching
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Monday, 7 July 2008 at 3:12 pm
congrats maroons for winning your first game…
Green Minded
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Monday, 7 July 2008 at 6:52 pm
bakit hindi televised ncaa ngayon araw?
Charlie
+0
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 at 12:29 pm
UP played a great, great game on Sunday. Let’s see if it can get another win or two or three as the season progresses. Soc Rivera reportedly transferred to another school and is doing his residency there. We won’t see him playing until at least next season, or in two seasons if that other school is also a UAAP member.
MICHAEL
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Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 4:45 pm
martin reyes,is the main man of UP maroons for the next 3 years…his the next coming of allan caidic..xerox copy ung porma nya pg shot ng 3’s…
jesson
+0
Tuesday, 5 August 2008 at 2:50 pm
go NU kaya nyo yan build your confidense you can beat all teams in uaap just believe in yourself that you can do it more than you can imagine, have faith in God,you have to beat UP kasi natalo n ninyo FEU ibig sabihin yakang yaka ang UP, just rely on your big men