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THE 85th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association kicks off on Saturday, June 27 at the Araneta Coliseum. This year, three guest teams – Angeles University Foundation, Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College – will make up a formidable and unprecedented 10-team field. inboundpass.com breaks down the competing squads and sizes up their chances for the upcoming campaign. For a more in-depth analysis, grab a copy of Rebound: The Spirit of College Basketball, which will hit newsstands on the week of June 22.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights
2008 record: 9-5 (tied for second place; lost to Jose Rizal University in the Final Four).
Head coach: Louie Alas (8th season)
Additions: Jun-Jun Alas, Kevin Alas, Patrick Ang, Jomar Datang, Fred-rick Malabago, Andrei Pantin, Rey Publico, Aloysius Taplah
Subtractions: Alvyn Cabonce, Dino Daa, Rey Dangcal, Clarence Foronda, Raydhan Lacamento, Anjoe Latonio, Kojack Melegrito, Regin Ranises
Holdovers: Jaypee Belencion, Jam Cortes, Kirk del Rosario, John Foronda, Rey Guevarra, Reymar Gutilban, RJ Jazul

Background: The Knights were locked in a four-way tie for second place and emerged from the mayhem after beating Mapua. Their experience, however, wasn’t enough to see them past the hungry Jose Rizal University in a virtual best-of-three matchup, losing in a playoff for the second spot and the Final Four itself.

Key changes: Among the returning seven teams in the league, Letran enters Season 85 with the most number of players lost (eight). Daa and Melegrito, the squad’s second- and third-leading scorers, respectively, played out their eligibility in 2008, while Clarence Foronda and Anjoe Latonio surprisingly bolted for Far Eastern University deep into the summer.

The Alas brothers and Taplah should see a lot of minutes this year. Kevin Alas, in particular, was a scoring machine in high school and an almost-prized catch by De La Salle before deciding to stick it out with his dad in Muralla. Most of the team’s other rookies emerged from Letran’s fabled Team B.

Outlook: Many pundits are calling this team Louie Alas’ weakest in many years. To some extent, and on paper, that is, that assertion holds water. Save for the new faces in the squad, the Knights had mixed results in the summer leagues, finishing fourth in the Nike League but going 1-6 in the Filoil Flying V Cup. While it can be argued that the preseason is nothing more than the preseason, coach Alas has gone to the extent of holding closed-door practices for almost a week last May in an attempt to toughen his wards.

All isn’t gloom and doom in the blue side of Intramuros, though. Jazul and Guevarra form a lethal 1-2 punch and had the benefit of training under coach Rajko Toroman and the Philippine Developmental Team. Jazul is by far the NCAA’s deadliest sniper, while Guevarra has gradually improved his perimeter game. Belencion and Gutilban, meanwhile, have been quite consistent the past two months.

Prognosis: The mere presence of a battle-grizzled go-to-guy in Jazul and a solid nine-man rotation should be enough to throw the “weakest team in coach Alas’ Letran career” tag out the window. Add to the fact that, in his seven seasons at the helm, he’s made it to the Final Four seven times, and won it all thrice. 2009 may not up the championship total to four, but it will at least extend his semis streak to eight.

College of Saint Benilde Blazers
2008 record: 4-10 (sixth place)
Head coach: Richard del Rosario (1st season)
Additions: RJ Argamino, John Debuque, Mark de Guzman, Carlo Lastimosa, Andrew Musngi, Geo Sia, Lance Sikat, Jorey Tajonera, Jan Tan, David Urra
Subtractions: Archie David, Ilie Johnston, Dustin Posadas, Karl Santos, Garri Sevilla
Holdovers: Mac Abolucion, Chuck Dalanon, Ian dela Paz, Robbie Mañalac, Jacob Manlapaz, Ardie Martinez, Anjelo Montecastro, Jeff Morial, Aaron Umlas

Background: The Blazers started Season 84 strong, winning their first two games, but failed to sustain the momentum, particularly in the second round where they went 1-6. The three wins on the hardcourt, plus a fourth in the boardroom by way of the Sam Ekwe playing jersey incident, has given CSB that much-needed confidence boost heading to 2K9.

Key changes: Del Rosario becomes CSB’s third coach in three years, succeeding Gee Abanilla after the latter’s commitment to the Philippine National Team. On the floor, St. Benilde loses rotation stalwarts David and Sevilla to eligibility, and the athletic Johnston to disciplinary reasons.

Guards Mark de Guzman and Carlo Lastimosa are dynamite additions to the squad, which already has its fair share of quality backcourt players. Far Eastern transferee Tan is 6’5” and legit down low as well as on the mid-range. These three cagers should immediately contribute for the Taft quintet.

Outlook: It’s no secret that the Blazers will run, run and run some more this season to compensate for their lack of ceiling. Last year’s team also lacked that big-time presence underneath, so CSB is quite used to playing small ball. The only difference between 2008 and 2009 is that this unit is even quicker and arguably more talented thanks to the combination of solid rookies and returning vets like Dalanon, Manlapaz, Montecastro and Morial.

Prognosis: De La Salle, or “main,” in Taft jargon, has hogged the basketball limelight for seemingly a century at St. Benilde’s expense. While this isn’t as surprising as CSB’s six-year Final Four drought, it shouldn’t be reason to ignore the darker shade of green in 2009. This is the best Benilde team since it last made the semis in 2002. A 9-9 record and a shot at the playoffs aren’t out of reach.

Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals
Credentials: 2004-2006 UCAA champions, 2004 NCRAA champions, 2004 and 2006 University Games champions
Head coach: Nomar Isla (1st season in the NCAA)
Provisional lineup: Ferdinand Anquilo (F), Franz Chiong (G), Claude Cubo (F), Dhan Diolanto (F), Arjay del Rosario (G), Romeo Fotue (G), Ruel Jabaybay (C), Jeff Lapitan (C), Mark Jason Liwag (G), Loh Chee Hau (C), Argel Mendoza (G), Mark Roldan (F), Bon Sablan (F), Adrian Santos (F), John Santos (G), Neil Tuazon (F), Roy Villegas (G), Rusell Yaya (F), Lowell Yaya (F)

Background: Emilio Aguinaldo College’s winning tradition came to a halt in 2008 as it fell to the upstart Universal College Golden Dragons in the UCAA Finals and failed to make the title series in the NCRAA. Over at the Philippine Collegiate Championships, the Generals weren’t able to crack the Sweet 16 after losing by 18 to the University of the East in the Luzon Zonals.

Key changes: Center Emmanuel Mbe and scoring machine Julius Ace Quiambao are the significant losses for the San Marcelino outfit, with the former now enrolled in St. Benilde and the latter playing out his eligibility. In years past, the Generals have relied on big game, one-man wrecking crews in the form of Niño Songco, Ronjay Buenafe and Gester Ebuen. This time, expect Isla’s wards to share the ball more.

Outlook: EAC boasts of one of the NCAA’s tallest lineups. Lapitan, at 6’6” and the 6’5” Jabaybay can do damage on both ends of the floor. Loh, at 6’10,” is as big as it gets, although Lapitan and Jabaybay will see more time at the five spot. Diolanto and Cubo have had solid pre-seasons for EAC. The school’s number one option, though, is Fotue, a native of Cameroon.

The backcourt troika of Mendoza, Villegas and John Santos is offensive-minded and aggressive. Together with the athletic big men of the Generals, these guys are amazing to watch on the fastbreak. Ex-Mapua Cardinal del Rosario is a consistent back-up, while Chiong has proven to be very reliable.

Prognosis: Emilio Aguinaldo is perhaps the most talented of the three guest teams. At the very least, this team will win seven games, but can realistically gun for eight or break even at nine. Just like St. Benilde, this is a dangerous, middle-ranked five that can have a say when the eliminations draw to a close.

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers
2008 record: 9-5 (tied for second place; lost to San Beda College in the finals)
Head coach: Ariel Vanguardia (4th season)
Additions: Joel Gabriel, Etame Joe, Adoe Salazar
Subtractions: Alex Almario, Jayson Nocom, Maui Pradas
Holdovers: Jhe Agas, Jecskter Apinan, Jay-r Bulangis, Marc Cagoco, Marvin Hayes, Raycon Kabigting, Derico Lopez, Nate Matute, John Montemayor, Nchotu John Njei, JR Sena, John Wilson

Background: After a lethargic start to the season, Jose Rizal zoomed to the top of the standings after an eight-game winning streak. An equally rocky end to the eliminations saw JRU go through a rigorous extra two games to book a twice-to-beat Final Four advantage, one it made use of before taking San Beda to the limit in the finals.

Key changes: Stalwarts Nocom and Pradas are the only key losses for the Heavy Bombers, who’ve advanced to the Final Four the past two seasons after winning a combined six games in 2005 and 2006.

Among the newbies, expect Joe to make his presence felt, particularly in the low block where he’ll be required to swat shots and help Hayes and Sena in the rebounding department. The Cameroonian suffered an injury to his knee over the summer, so a question mark hangs over his fitness level. The full rotation, though, is intact and experienced.

Outlook: Boom or bust. The Heavy Bombers have the tools to go all the way and capture their first title since 1972. They’re deep and loaded in all positions. This current unit also has experienced what it’s like to play in front of a packed house care of last season’s trip to the finals, so expect Vanguardia’s wards to be more confident and poised down the stretch.

Chemistry is also something that should bode well for JRU. This is Cagoco, Hayes, Sena and Wilson’s fourth year together. All of them have vastly improved since entering the program in Season 82. The familiarity ideally should translate into better decision-making skills on the hardwood, something that the Bombers have been groping for in years past.

Prognosis: Self-belief is something that JRU needs if it is to win it all in 2009. The problems the past two years haven’t been lack of talent or what not, but more of mental toughness. If these are sorted out this campaign, Jose Rizal University has a more than decent chance of taking home the championship.

Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals
2008 record: 9-5 (tied for second place; lost to San Beda College in the Final Four)
Additions: John Emmanuel Castillo, Ding-Dong Lamosa, Elison Maniego, Nico Magat, Christian Palma, Mike Parala, Andrei Stevens
Losses: Jonathan Banal, Kelvin de la Peña, Ian Mazo, Jewel Palomique, Neil Pascual
Holdovers: Macky Acosta, Paul Cinco, Erwin Cornejo, Kevin Espinosa, TG Guillermo, Allan Mangahas, Jason Pascual, Rodel Ranises, Mark Sarangay, Randolf Soriano

Background: Mapua came very close to knocking out defending champions San Beda. It extended the semifinal matchup to a second game, and was one of only two teams (JRU being the other) to inflict two losses on the Red Lions all-year long.

Key changes: Of all the returning squads, it’s Mapua that’s suffered the most from the loss of key players. De La Peña, Mazo and Pascual were all starters who combined for almost 30 points a game. A fourth starter, Banal, tore his ACL and will redshirt Season 85.

The Cardinals, however, have decent rookies in the fold. Magat is a former San Beda Red Cub, while Paulino was part of the fabled FEU-Fern juniors squads. Castillo, at 6’4,” could help ease first year coach Chito Victolero’s size woes. The wildcard in Victolero’s lineup is 6’1” combo guard Maniego, son of former pro Romy dela Rosa.

Outlook: Victolero takes over a squad whose key cogs weren’t integral parts of the rotation of his predecessor, Leo Isaac. In simpler terms, Mapua “veterans” Acosta, Cornejo and Cinco will be playing unfamiliar roles as starters or, at least, key second-stringers.

Mangahas, last year’s Rookie of the Year, will be the Cards’ main gun. Much of the offense will revolve around him, as well as Cornejo, who had a consistent summer. Guillermo, Espinosa, Sarangay and Soriano round out a rotation that’ll be looking to up the tempo and stay aggressive on the defensive end, particularly the perimeter.

Prognosis: Mapua’s four-year Final Four streak will most likely come to an end this year. Its losses are just too heavy, and those filling their shoes aren’t the most scarred veterans in town. However, the Cardinals won’t be as bad as people think. Six wins is a grounded projection, while eight should already be considered a success for this rebuilding school.

Projected team standings

1. Jose Rizal University
2. San Beda College
3. Colegio de San Juan de Letran
4. San Sebastian College-Recoletos
5. College of Saint Benilde
6. Arellano University
7. Mapua Institute of Technology
8. Emilio Aguinaldo College
9. University of Perpetual Help System Dalta
10. Angeles University Foundation

Finals: Jose Rizal University over San Beda College

As mentioned, Rebound: The Spirit of College Basketball contains a thorough rundown of the frontcourts, backcourts, coaching styles and intangibles of each of the 10 participating NCAA teams. I, along with Mike Abasolo, Rick Olivares and Bill Velasco, break down the upcoming season in our first issue.

(11 votes, average: 4.82 out of 5)

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