PCC 2008: Let’s get it started
Monday, 24 November 2008 3,869 Views / 156 Comments
PAST collegiate post-season tournaments never had the luster that individual leagues like the NCAA or UAAP had. Blame it on mismanagement, scheduling, or even prominent hoops programs withdrawing on the eleventh hour. Whatever the reason is, the country’s never been able to bestow the official title of “the nation’s best†on any team.
All that should change with the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship. The most organized and structured after-October cage gathering is down to its Sweet 16 after kicking off with over 250 teams from Vigan to Zamboanga. The tourney deserves the hype it’s been getting, and will hopefully be taken seriously by the remaining squads.
And why not? It’s just so exasperating to hear people say that this school isn’t the best cause this school withdrew, or cause this university didn’t field this player, or cause the brackets were drawn to see through two institutions with the same backer play in the final.
Enough of that, please. Let’s get this on and see which team is truly the Philippines’ best.
The most intriguing Sweet 16 matchup is the Jose Rizal University-Far Eastern University tiff. The Heavy Bombers’ physical, inside-outside game will be tested by, on paper, one of the most talented squads in the country. My friend and colleague, Sid Ventura, is looking at the frontline battle to serve as the key to the game, with FEU’s Mac Baracael and Aldrech Ramos going toe-to-toe with Shaw Boulevard’s Marvin Hayes and JR Sena.
If the tempo of the game isn’t that slow or deliberate, though, the open court will be crucial. JRU swingman John Wilson is an efficient finisher on the break, and so is about five or six of his teammates. This may ultimately bury the Tamaraws and seal 2008’s status as a year to forget in Morayta.
Who the hell are the Universal College of Nursing Golden Dragons? Cebuanos or Davaoeños may not be familiar with, say, the San Sebastian College Cavite Baycats, in the same way that Manileños could be strangers to the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars. But it’s safe to conclude that, universally, the UCN Dragons are the unknowns heading into the PCC.
The Dragons are this season’s Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) champions. After going 2-12 in their debut campaign in 2006, coach Yong Garcia’s wards shocked the basketball world by sweeping perennial powerhouses Emilio Aguinaldo College en route to the title.
Familiar with the National University Bulldogs? Yup, those yellow and black-clad guys who love jacking up threes left, right and center in the UAAP. UCN plays this way, but only better. Cedric Matugas, Mike Montilla, Marc Joseph and Jeff Ompad like to spread the Dragons’ offense and set up for those deadly triples. Coach Garcia likes them playing loose and fast, and yup, shooting a lot of treys.
The squad I should be most excited to see since I never get to watch them on TV is Arellano University. The Chiefs have won almost every not-so-known abbreviated tournament in the city (FMC, NCRAA, FMC-D2). And with their intent to jump to the NCAA, this is their chance to be seen and felt.
Orlando Daroya, a 6-foot-3 swingman, is the man to watch, with 5-foot-1 (yes!!) playmaker Len Anquillo and defensive specialist Jordan Melaño in the supporting cast. Adrian Celada and Gio Ciriacruz can also put points in a hurry. Just ask University of Santo Tomas, the team the Chiefs walloped to get to the Sweet 16.
It also won’t be improbable to see Arellano give San Beda (a potential Elite 8 showdown) a tough fight. Leo Isaac’s other team, Mapua, dealt the Red Lions two losses in the 2008 NCAA wars. Arellano runs the same system, arguably with even better players.
The team most likely to be upset in the Sweet 16 is University of the East. In one of the episodes of One U I was part of, I mentioned that I always get scared every time the Red Warriors take the floor against big squads. In Season 71, they went 1-5 against the three other UAAP Final Four teams (1-6 if the semifinal loss to Ateneo is factored in).
UE’s opponents, University of Visayas, is as big a team as it can get. After copping their eighth straight CESAFI plum, the Green Lancers are out to prove that last season’s Collegiate National Championship (which is the former name of the PCC) runner-up finish isn’t a fluke. Six-foot-eleven big man Greg Slaughter has improved slightly, while old reliables Von Lanete, Ritchum Dennison and Chris Diputado can still burn opposing teams.
UE and UV play very similar styles of ball. Both teams are athletic, and both like to run and shoot. The only difference is that the Red Warriors are much smaller, and this may prove costly.
The player who’ll break out is Ateneo swingman Oping Sumalinog. Like everyone else, I’ve always wondered why this lanky Cebuano shooter was sparingly used in past UAAP battles. With Chris Tiu’s impending absence in this season’s PCC, this 6-foot-3 sniper will be thrust into the limelight – and will make the most out of it.
In the 2008 University Games in Dumaguete, Sumalinog proved to be Ateneo’s glue and spark plug, hitting clutch shots and making crucial plays as the Blue Eagles captured the championship at the expense of West Negros University and EAC in the finals. The PCC will be the next stop in Sumalinog’s quest to stardom.
When the national champion is crowned, I can look forward to less whining, hopefully. Let’s keep our fingers crossed here. Ideally, no school should back out, and more importantly treat this tournament like the genuine national championship that it is. The PCC isn’t meant to supplant the popularity of the UAAP, NCAA or even CESAFI (chances are, it can’t), but is upon us to declare the best of the very best.
(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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Is this the same Arellano team as last year’s? If so, then I’ve seen them play…against San Beda’s Team-B. The Arellano team lost by 30+ points if I remember correctly.
Maybe they have a much stronger team this year?
Hohohoh..almost all of the PCCL articles I have read, JRU is the favorite over FEU. Let’s see about that.
siyempre underdog ang JRU kaya pinapaboran sila. mahilig ata ang mga pinoy sa mga underdog.
I found the past renditions of the CCL boring for the reaons Mr. Soler stated above. But now, for the first time in collegiate basketball history, this is the real deal. The fact that the name has been changed from CCL to PCC makes this editon the 1st in the series. Previous championships do not count nor should be counted. Sorry UE…
pero parang hindi ata interesado ang mga tao. puro upuan lang ang nanonood.
@bulldog
well simula pa lang naman eh, we’ll see in the coming games.
although, kampi ung mga upuan sa ateneo, lahat kasi blue.
patay tayo dyan, home court advantage, hahahaha
Nice article sir Chris! am going to be expecting more read this coming days though… =)
The PCC, thanks to the sponsors and SBP, now becomes the ultimate stage for College Hoops in the country
Let’s Get it Started!
PCC!? Oh it would be a great battle. Who will be crowned best of the best collegiate school. I watched the SBC vs USJ-R game and I could see that is still SBC but there are a lot of very competitive collegiate teams like ADMU, JRU(my school), DLSU, UE, FEU. Some analyst said that Chiefs & Pirates are the “dark horse” collegiate teams but I don’t think so that Lyceum Pirates will upset the UAAP champs. So, again, goodluck to all! Wear your stripes!!!! Support your school!!!!!
ELITE 8
-ADMU
-SBC
-JRU
-DLSU
-UE
-MIT
-AU
-CSJL
KEEP THE FAITH MY FELLOW RIZALIANS!!!!!!!
I agree that the most intriguing match-up in this PCCL’s league is the match-up between JRU Heavy Bomber and FEU Tamaraws. Both teams have deep benches so I’m sure their respective coaches will be tested for this game. If you will note, most of the seeded teams are obviously “yamado” to their opponents but this one is hard to predict.
By the way, I just want to share this trivia that the former school name of Jose Rizal College before it became university is Far Eastern College (FEC). Ironic isn’t it.
@dark knight..
hahah. sna nga mgng mganda game ng JRU at FEU..
for xure skuLmate kta kea cheer ntn cLa sa 29..=]
pxok nah sa eLite 8 ang ADMU at SBC..
MABUHAY RIZAL.!.
To rizalista – Hehehe =) you recognized my blood.
Yap, the champs are already in the Elite 8. Expect the Knights and the Green Archers too.
Ala Vievo!
ahahah.. gnun.. bsta soLid Bombers
pah dn kht anuh mngyari.. =]
Go RizaL.!
i like underdogs.. JRU-FEU game i’ll go for FEU.. all the articles i have read favored team ang JRU over FEU besides top seed naman sila…. FEU must use their athleticism and their quickness most of them can play multiple positions hindi naman ganun kalaki ang frontline ng JRU….
television schedule ng PCC:
http://www.collegiatechampionsleague.net/tv_schedule.html
To Mr. Soler,
Again, a great article. Keep up the good work.
But really, you see JRU beating FEU and UE losing to UV. I respect the posted opinions, but I just disagree.
Panong walang manonood eh napaka hirap pumunta sa Arena in San Juan, tapos 200 pa daw ang ringside. Hahaha
uu medyo mahal tiket and i heard also na P80 ang upper box pero free nman ung sa bleachers, un nga lang mabigat ung P200 lalo kung marami kayo manonood =)
my prediction? Ateneo vs San Beda Finals. Ateneo by 2.
Chris, nice article and nice insights about the schools that aren’t under the radar which the PCCL will unveil to us.
With Marsie Arellano out of UE, I agree with you that the Warriors will lose to UV.
Pari Llagas is no match for Greg Slaughter.
I like Alexis Go, but sad to say, not even her presence will be enough for UE to go deep in the PCCL.
How about Jobe Nkemakolam?
Did he already made progress about his academics or still a struggling student? I believe this guy (cant call him kid since he’s older than me but I have already graduated) will be a rock star come PROS. I will never forget the time he dunked on Alwyn Espiritu and rocked the whole gym!
I know he lives in Sampaloc. Galicia street ata. Then why didn’t he just studied in NU or FEU or UST? The said schools are a lot closer, in fact walking distance. Di pa siya masyadong masisita about his studies.
Oh wait Mr. Christian Soler,
Since you’re a true blue Atenean, a professor and not as biased as the green mind, I really want to ask a question that no Atenean has an answer for. Here it goes. Why, in the Blue Eagle line up, is no jersey #9? Is it retired? Is there any Blue Eagle that wore that number before. Thanks.
mga oa kyo wait nlang kayo sa finals………….
go uv
chiefs shud beat d UCN team cos
i want san beda vs. arellano for d nxt game.,
i have seen arellano played and lyk wat dey hav said those chiefs players are great.,
but i think we can beat dem.=)
im really looking forward to dis game.
I hope Mr. Christian Soler is not BIAS when it comes to analysis of the games. I don’t agree on his statement in One U.
@TheScoutman: What exactly don’t you agree with?
Christian, thanks for your comments. If Arellano plays, which I doubt he will, UE will have a good chance of winning tomorrow.
By the way, is it true that Arellano decided not to play anymore for UE
after he was scoreless in his last game against Ateneo?
@James Ty III: Marcy Arellano, by default, can’t play for UE anymore. Remember, he was the 2004 UAAP Rookie of the Year, and 2008 was his fifth year. So I really don’t understand all the talk about him refusing to play. He just can’t anymore.
Here’s talk though. Reports indicate that Hans Thiele won’t play for the Red Warriors in the PCC.
@ Mr. Soler,
Finally, an answer. Thank you so much Mr. Soler.
Ganun. Yes, I remember the name Eric Yao. The Xavier
alumnus turned Blue Eagle who had ACL in both knees.
OUCH! Another, I remember Joseph Yeo’s interview in
GreenArcher.net years ago mentioning he chose La
Salle over Ateneo because according to him, “ang
Ateneo hindi marunong mag alaga nang player”.
Stating Eric Yao’s Case.
@ Chris Soler
If I’m not mistaken, current Blue Eaglets assistant coach Joe Silva also wore jersey “#9″. And suffered the same fate as Arespacochaga and Yao.
Why can’t Marcy Arellano play? There are a lot of 5th year players playing in the PCCL. Neil Pascual is one.
@de ocampo cobra
if my sources serves me right, joseph yeo did apply at admu, unfortunately, he did not pass the ACET. Now, here is my take on this, he is partly right in saying that hindi marunong mag alaga ng players ang ateneo, he could have easily applied for an appeal, like membrere, but i guess the offer of dlsu who has been hounding this prize recruit since his highschool days was too much for the boy to resist.Ateneo just let him go without any second thoughts. I’d understand how he must have felt, galing ka na nga sa isang jesuit school, tapos hindi ka pa kukunin ng isang jesuit university, it sucks, but that’s how it is. A lot of us alums have endless debates & case studies(cases of sanmig) over the recruitment system & the admission program(ACET)of admu, but i guess, being mere spectators in the world of basketball, we just let it go at that, heck, there are bigger problems out there, like, the UAAP is still 7 mos. away!
@Professional_Scout: My bad…I was thinking of next year’s UAAP, which Marcy Arellano can’t participate in. Fifth year cagers can play in the PCC. Sorry about that.
Arellano and Thiele won’t play for UE in the PCC. Both of them haven’t been practicing with the team, according to sources.
And I’m not sure about Silva, sorry, but very certain about why #9 isn’t being used anymore.
@De Ocampo Cobra: It’s not that Ateneo did’t take care of Yao. Yao received all the medical care and support needed. It was just a case of hard luck.
Christian, Thiele got hurt and didn’t play in Bacchus’ last game against Harbour Centre.
@ Chris Soler
Thanks for the clarification.
by now this must be too late, but I remember in that interview on Joseph Yeo, he was said to be ranked second best of the five players to come out of the Xavier Stallions. I can think of Yeo, Tiu, Tyrone Tang and Eric Yao. Who is the fifth and missing link.
i think its woody co.hehehe
@ Tiger Tamaraw,
Well, thanks. At least I got an answer.
I think the reason why its harder to get into ateneo, as some people may say, its because the loyola schools is comparatively smaller than, lets say ust, or lasalle, they accept more students because their campuses is much much bigger and can accomodate more, otherwise, they’re all the same. ACET DLSUCET has the same caliber or i think DLSUCET is much harder. While for UP, practically the whole country is applying there, so competition is tough.
To all our avid readers, and the entire basketball nation, have a very wonderful and Merry Christmas!
@AteneoROCKWELL
Nakapasok ka na bah sa ATENEO DE MANILA? Malamang di pah. Ateneo Grade School is even bigger than DLSU Main taft? kung tatanggalin yang mga UP villages na yan, Ateneo De Manila is the biggest University in the Philippines. Hirit ka ng hirit di ka pa yatah nakakapasok sa Ateneo. Ever been to Ateneo College? baka magulat ka sa structures ng buildings dun. Ateneo also holds the record in the world with the most number of basketball courts(whole court) in a University.
regarding the academic standing. Ateneo De Manila is No.254 in the world. University of The Philippines is No.276. And your De La Salle University is No. 415
Ayaw mong maniwala check out
http://www.topuniversities.com
I’m confused. a dog who meows and a cat who barks.
dlsumain breathing blue and ateneorockwell singing green?
@nyeeeek
In fact, Ateneo is the highest among third world country universities unless we consider brazil and mexico third world. For me they’re more 2nd world.
Below Ateneo are numerous universities from the US, UK, Germany, Australia, France, Sweden, Norway, Italy, China, Japan, Korea and even beat the highest schools from the likes of Russia etc. THAT’s AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.
o see? pag kapwa Filipino talagang aapakan e, keep up the good work! tsktsktsk
@DLSUmain
bro, im not looking for a fight, im from ateneo and taking my MBA also in ateneo. well maybe u havnt been to lasalle, try going there, im sure some organizations in school have campus tour going to lasalle. the buildings there can hold more students compare to ateneo. of coure dont include the fields, you dont hold classes there unless the professor intend to. but the classrooms are still for his benefit to use. lasalle has less or only 1 field, and the rest are classrooms. dont be naive. and what are u barking at, arent u proud that u belong, if u really belong, to a school that accepts limited students? it means something already.
@nyeeek
i’m just concerned about your comment on ateneo JUST being 254.
I don’t care if Filipinos bash each other. This happens all over the world.
@tae
2nd world refers to eastern europe. this is a static designation. as to your pronouncements about where taeneo ranks, you may want to include a source para medyo mapaniwala mo naman ang iba dito and that this ranking that you have does not only come from this parallel universe where you live in.
Yes, better than Philippine universities.