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BOTH THE opening rounds of the UAAP and NCAA have defied logic. Save for horrible officiating in the UAAP, which really isn’t mind-boggling but more of normal, the 16 teams in both leagues have definitely mixed it up, and mixed it up big time to make for excitement. Here’s the lowdown on the ten most intriguing storylines thus far:

(As a sidenote, the Mac Baracael shooting is arguably the biggest story of the 2008 collegiate basketball campaign. However, it would be insensitive to “rank� this horrific incident. Again, my prayers go out to Mac and the entire basketball community).

10. Rules, rules…what rules?: Want a clear example of how inconsistent the UAAP has been as far as rules are concerned? Look at the keys or the shaded lanes in the two venues the league uses. Over at the Philsports Arena, the rectangular, NBA-like key is in use, while the FIBA-sanctioned trapezoid serves as its equivalent at the Big Dome. What gives? A three-second violation can be called on the fringes of the trapezoid but not in Ultra. Big men will have a hard time following designed offensive patterns, especially if they like posting up or positioning on those fringes (see diagram). Can the league use just one? Is it that hard to do?

9. A good team gone bad: Nobody expected Philippine Christian University to return to the NCAA with a bang. But nobody expected the Dolphins to go 1-6 either. Young guns Rogelio Busa and Marlon Gomez, along with Lizstian Amparado and Leimar Navarro have shouldered too much of the burden that center Beau Belga isn’t carrying. Belga’s been more of a liability on-court, averaging just 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds and screaming and blaming his teammates for his failures along the way. Sorry Beau, it’s all caught on camera.

8. “The first shall be last, and last shall be first:� Not really, but both College of Saint Benilde and UP – last year’s doormats of the NCAA and UAAP respectively – have both surpassed their win totals, and we’re only in the first round. CSB has won three games (two on the hardwood, one in the boardroom) while University of the Philippines has captured two. Both squads have improved tremendously, with the Blazers playing tougher defense and the Fighting Maroons being capable of shooting the lights out.

7. Sam Ekwe: The big man from Nigeria is so big that he deserves his own spot in the countdown. He begins the season with a double-double, then shoots 34 percent from the field in his next three games. To top it all off, he admits to wearing the wrong jersey against CSB, and basically loses the game for his team as far as the rulebook is concerned. Sure, he’s still averaging a double-double (13.9 points and 14.6 boards a game), but his laziness, especially on defense, is evident. Ekwe’s play will make or break San Beda’s title-defense.

6. Rookies, rookies galore: Both leagues (but more so the UAAP) have a ton of talented neophytes. Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe ain’t alone, folks. Teammate Nico Salva, De La Salle’s Maui Villanueva, University of Santo Tomas’ Clark Bautista, Adamson’s Alex Nuyles and National University’s Marc Berry are sure-fire cagers who’ll be their squads’ go-to-guys in two years. Over at the NCAA, Busa, Gomez, Mapua’s Allan Mangahas, Letran’s Jam Cortes and San Sebastian’s Raymund Maconocido all have game.

5. Crash and burn: JRU started 0-2, and are now 5-2, while Mapua won four straight before losing two consecutive games. While the UAAP hasn’t seen a team – save for Ateneo and DLSU – go up then crash down, or vice-versa, the NCAA’s been all about streaks. The Bombers and Cardinals are going opposite directions, and it seems this trend will continue. JRU’s now in twice-to-beat advantage, while Mapua’s got to watch its back thanks to CSB and San Sebastian, both of whom are 3-4 and just a game back.

4. Fall from grace: University of the East hasn’t lost three first round elimination games since going 4-3 as well back in 2004 – a rebuilding year after losing the likes of Paul Artadi and James Yap. Frankly, this team is close to rebuilding, especially after losing athletic big men in Mark Borboran and Kelvin Gregorio. Hence, I really don’t understand all the preseason talk suggesting that UE is still as strong. Just watch UE’s games, coach Dindo Pumaren has no choice but to field in three guys below six feet at important stretches of the game. Small ball will only take you so far, as my colleague Mike Abasolo always says.

3. Arriba Letran!: The boys from Muralla always downplay their chances before any NCAA tournament – and are always proven wrong. No Bryan Faundo, no problem. Coach Louie Alas has proven his ability to make the best out of what he’s got. Dino Daa has stepped up big in place of Faundo, while RJ Jazul is proving to be college hoops’ best player (no kidding). Rey Guevarra and Reymar Gutilban may be on and off, but Cortes and point guard/boxer Kojack Melegrito have been very consistent. The Knights will go far this season.

2. Pure heart -vs- talent: This is the situation Far Eastern University’s facing. At some point, the Tamaraws will have to face up to the fact that pure emotion won’t take them to the title, not even to the Final Four perhaps. The emotions died down in FEU’s loss to National University. Now, the Tams have to find a way to win without Baracael. Thing is, they can. Andy Barroca, JR Cawaling and Reil Cervantes can play at both ends of the floor. Benedict Fernandez, though, has to be more consistent.

1. Blue -vs- Green – One Big Possibility: Whether we like it or not, Ateneo versus DLSU (or DLSU versus Ateneo, whichever side you come from) is the town’s biggest ticket. There’s a huge chance that these two teams will figure in the finals as well. Both squads have great rookies, a relatively intact core, clutch players and so-so point guards. It won’t come as a surprise to see these two schools rekindle 2001 and 2002.

Honorable mention: Pep squads (see image below); Basketball TV’s Power Rankings; Perpetual Help’s struggles; Henry Sy’s purchase of NU; Melegrito’s punches against San Beda and the big difference in officiating between the UAAP and NCAA.

Tags: Ateneo-Blue-Eagles, De-La-Salle-Green-Archers, FEU-Tamaraws, Henry-Sy, Jose-Rizal-University-Heavy-Bombers, Letran-Knights, Mac-Baracael, Mapua-Cardinals, NCAA-Season-84, Petron, Sam-Ekwe, San-Beda-Red-Lions, UAAP, UE-Red-Warriors, UP-Fighting-Maroons

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