1 September 2019
Press release from UAAP Season 82
Without a shadow of a doubt, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University is the hands-down team to beat in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Blue Eagles were, as expected, the unanimous choice of the coaches during the preseason press conference on Sunday as to which team they feel they need to hurdle to get the crown this year.
“It’s a given that Ateneo is going to be on top,” said UP coach Bo Perasol.
Adamson mentor Franz Pumaren agreed. “It’s quite obvious already. It’s Ateneo and they should be rated number one. From player one to sixteen skills-wise, they’re all the same.”
This, however, isn’t Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin’s first rodeo as he welcomes that pressure from his peers.
“I know expectations are high for our team and it’s our job to play the best basketball as we can,” said the two-time UAAP champion coach.
The Blue Eagles know very well what’s at stake this year — a three-peat in the final season of main cogs Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, and twins Matt and Mike Nieto.
But as much as everyone pegs the Blue Eagles as the standard, it doesn’t mean that the field shouldn’t garner any other bets.
UP, Adamson, La Salle, FEU, and UST are strong contenders as well in the eyes of the coaches.
“I think that the expectations for our team are in place. Every team is going to be prepared and hopefully, we can live up to the expectations thrown at us,” said Perasol, who is set to unveil Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero with the Fighting Maroons this year.
“I’m handling one of the youngest teams I’ve ever handled, but hopefully they adjust to the seniors level right away,” quipped Pumaren, who’ll bank on Jerrick Ahanmisi to get things done for the Soaring Falcons.
“We’re all excited for what’s in store for this coming season,” said Green Archers bench tactician Gian Nazario, who made splashes with their three “one-and-done” players.
FEU coach Olsen Racela, for his part, noted, “You’ll be seeing a different FEU team. You’re used to see experienced players, but half of our team are rookies so were investing on our youth and hopefully, matulungan nila kami.”
Meanwhile, UST counterpart Aldin Ayo shared, “Nine of the 16 players we have are first-year players. Medyo kulang ang exposure pero sana this season, lumabas ang laro nila.”
NU and UE, meanwhile, are also no pushovers as they are still fielding competent squads this year.
“We’ll be very competitive and we’re excited to compete and show what we can do for this season,” said Bulldogs mentor Jamike Jarin, whose hopes once again hinge on sophomore Dave Ildefonso.
“We have a rookie-laden team this year, but we’ll always fight. Lalaban pa rin,” said Red Warriors athletic director Rod Roque, who stood in for coach Joe Silva.
The men’s basketball competitions begin on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with UST and UE raising the curtain at 10:30 a.m., followed by UP versus FEU at 12:30 p.m., before the main game between Ateneo and Adamson at 4 p.m.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
