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UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS GROWLING TIGERS

2008 Record: 6-8, Fifth Place

Head Coach: Pido Jarencio (4th Year with UAAP Season 69 Championship on his rookie year)

Key Additions: Eddie Aytona, Marco Cam, former multi-awarded Letran Squires Darrel Green, Andrew Felix, Rushdy Hadi, Jerick Teng, Aljon Mariano, Aljohn Ungria.

Holdovers: Carmelo Afuang, Jeric Fortuna, Dylan Ababou, Clark Bautista, Chris Camus, Allen Maliksi, Khasim Mirza

Key Losses: Francis Allera, Jervy Cruz, Japs Cuan, Mark Canlas, Mel Gile, Carlos Fenequito, Jackson Wong, Chester Taylor.

Background: It will be a Renaissance year for Coach Pido Jarencio as he enters the season minus Jervy Cruz, a vital piece in their title run in Season 69.  More than half his roster will be composed of rookies, a change, welcome or not, he has not experienced since he took over as coach of the Growling Tigers.  He will have the benefit of finally putting his stamp on a team that is already an ideal destination for players demanding for a lot of playing mileage.

Key Changes: Coach Jarencio will be without a player that has dominated the slot in the middle throughout his collegiate coaching career.   He will also be surrounded with sophomore court generals that has tasted his wrath during their freshman year.  Remember, he has posted a post game comment during the course of Season 71 painting Jeric Fortuna as the pont guard of the future for the Growling Tigers.  The chance to prove that declaration for both ward and coach will be put to the test this season.

Outlook: 6′3 Dylan Ababou, 6′4 Khasim Mirza and 6′3 Allen Maliksi form the most veteran front court trio in the UAAP. They have the size and skill to create, single coverage and rotate with anybody in the league.  They are wingmen in a power forwards body that can space the floor, run on the open court, penetrate and rebound on occasion to counter their lack of bulk in the shaded lane.  Wide bodied rookie Darrel Green, talented fresh from the block, Jeric Teng and the rest of the colt pack will have to earn their minutes with the vast amounts of playing time that Coach Jarencio is willing to spill this Season 72 for these young hopefulls.

Prognosis: Coach Jarencio loves surprises.  It’s been his calling card since Season 69.  He loves playing the low-key and would like to maintain that status quo and it might just work this Season 72 to his advantage.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RED WARRIORS

2008 Record: 9-5, Fourth Place; Final Four

Head Coach: Lawrence Chongson (First Year)

Holdovers: Toto Bandaying, Paul Zamar, Lucas Tagarda, Elmer Espiritu, Rudy Lingganay, JM Noble, Erwin Duran, Raphy Reyes,  Pari Llagas, John Ray Alabanza, Paul Lee, Val Acuna

Key Losses: Marcy Arellano, Gino Etrone, Hans ThieleKey Additions:  Garrick Ayala, Kenneth Dale Acibar, Jai Flores, Jhon Sumido

Background: Coach Chongson has some big shoes to fill as he enters the collegiate basketball limelight this Season 72.  Under Coach Dindo Pumaren, the UE Red Warriors has not missed a beat, whatever the available material, Coach Pumaren had maximized what he had.  With a veteran line up intact that has seen and fought many wars, Coach Chongson has  the instant pieces to go deep into the Season.

Key Changes: There are no tenderfoots in this team, even without Marcy Arellano and Hans Thiele, the Red Warriors are still a capable bunch of warhorses that can do a lot of damage.  Even with their lack of size, they can still manage to pull it off with their speed and quickness on both ends especially with a lot of weapons at the backcourt despite the season fatality of James Martinez who suffered an ACL injury during the FilOil preseason finals against FEU.

Outlook: With an intact line up, Coach Chongson has no excuses not to perform well this season.  Coach Chongson has a hardened line up that has grown and fought together as a team.  This is still an athletic and quick squad that loves the open floor game and willing to play defense.

Prognosis: At the minimum, the Red Warriors are a cinch to barge into the playoffs and might pull off some upsets along the way.  They have been together a long time and they have the right stuff to win in crucial situations.

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Posted in Be Like Mike, Columns