8List.ph
  • News
    • Showbiz
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • Profiles
    • Weird
  • Adulting
    • Career
    • Money
    • Health
    • School & Learning
    • Relationships
  • Pop
    • Movies & TV
    • Music
    • Books
    • Games
    • Theater
    • Retro
    • K-World
  • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Nest
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Pinoy
  • Videos
    • Slam8ook
    • Isabuhay Ang Panata
    • 8list Plays
    • Archives
      • 8List Asks
      • 8List Explores
      • 8List Presents
      • 88 Seconds
      • 8secs
      • Filgood
      • Kaya Today!
      • Pagsubeks
      • #8MinutesWith
      • YOUth DECIDE
      • Str8 Up with Delamar
      • Toughest Job 2016
  • Breathe
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Archive
  • Bitesized.ph
  • Windowseat.ph

 

 

 

8List.ph is published by ID8, Inc.

Subscribe
8List.ph
8List.ph
  • News
    • Showbiz
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • Profiles
    • Weird
  • Adulting
    • Career
    • Money
    • Health
    • School & Learning
    • Relationships
  • Pop
    • Movies & TV
    • Music
    • Books
    • Games
    • Theater
    • Retro
    • K-World
  • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Nest
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Pinoy
  • Videos
    • Slam8ook
    • Isabuhay Ang Panata
    • 8list Plays
    • Archives
      • 8List Asks
      • 8List Explores
      • 8List Presents
      • 88 Seconds
      • 8secs
      • Filgood
      • Kaya Today!
      • Pagsubeks
      • #8MinutesWith
      • YOUth DECIDE
      • Str8 Up with Delamar
      • Toughest Job 2016
  • Breathe
  • Sports

8 First Impressions from the Opening Week of UAAP Season 78

  • Posted on Sep 7, 2015Jul 23, 2018
  • 0 minute read
  • Naveen Ganglani
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

8 First Impressions from the Opening Week of UAAP Season 78

Sep 7, 2015   •   Naveen Ganglani

8 First Impressions from the Opening Week of UAAP Season 78

UAAP_header

It entailed a longer wait than usual (an extra two months, actually), but it feels great to have UAAP basketball action back. Whether it’s the games themselves, the college spirit at the arenas, or even the fantastic commercials on television, there’s no better time in a calendar year than when the collegiate league is alive and kicking.

Two days in, and quite a few impressions have already been made. Here are some of them:

8. UE and Adamson will not be pushovers

UAAPIMP_h8
ue red warriors uaap 78

Via sg.sports.yahoo.com

Arguably the two most inexperienced teams in the UAAP this season, not many analysts were high on the Red Warriors and Soaring Falcons entering the season. Both teams are young and in the process of seasoning their new recruits, which makes it likely that wins will be scarce over the next few weeks.

However, don’t expect both squads to fold against their tougher opponents. UE is coached by Derrick Pumaren, while new Adamson head coach Mike Fermin showed great decision-making in his debut game against UST, who, despite having a veteran core, had to fight and claw their way to a victory against the Falcons.

I fully expect both teams to pull out some upset victories against their rivals this season – maybe even spoil another team’s chance at making the Final Four.

7. Those whistles are quick

UAAPIMP_h7
The referees discuss a call during a timeout

Via Mark Cristino/pinoyexchange.com

One theme that’s become apparent is how UAAP referees this season have been quick with making their technical foul calls. A total of 12 techs have already been assessed in the FIRST TWO DAYS of tournament, which has to be some sort of record.

A lot of warnings have already been given out as well. Here’s a note to UAAP players: keeping a cooler head this season could spell the difference between a win and a loss.

6. Defending the throne will be tough, but Alolino is up to the challenge

UAAPIMP_h6

Mighty heart, boys. Blow them away #UAAP78 pic.twitter.com/pTgHO8OUCU

— Tricia Robredo (@jpgrobredo) September 6, 2015

It was no secret that the NU Bulldogs were going to have a tough time defending their championship with the departures of Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin, and that issue manifested in their opening loss to the DLSU Green Archers.

But there were some positives to the Bulldogs’ loss. For starters, their import Alfred Aroga battled foul trouble the entire game and still NU had an opportunity to steal the victory at the end of the contest. Why? First, because their championship defense hasn’t lost its resiliency. Next is because of Gelo Alolino.

After spending the first few years of his UAAP career unheralded and overshadowed by the looming presence of Bobby Ray Parks, Alolino busted out of his cage last season and this year, is on pace to become one of the best the UAAP has to offer.

Against La Salle, he had 16 points and 6 rebounds, while making some key shots down the stretch. He did miss one critical free throw that could have tied the game at 60, but if his performance this season is consistent with what he displayed against the Green Archers, NU will have a chance at a repeat.

5. The unpredictable Tigers

UAAPIMP_h5  
ust growling tigers
Via sg.sports.yahoo.com

On paper, the UST Growling Tigers have a core–Jan Sheriff, Karim Abdul, Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, Kent Lao, Louie Vigil–that can compete against any other in the UAAP. But like last year, UST still seems hard to predict–and not in the good way.

While Adamson did put up a good fight, the Growling Tigers didn’t exactly perform to the standard that’s expected out of a team with their roster. Maybe it was just the opening day jitters, or Abdul has yet to get into game shape, or it’s a one-game wonder for the Falcons. But UST was up-and-down last season, and so far in one game in Season 78, that’s still the case.

4. Finally… nowhere to go but UP!

UAAPIMP_h4
uaap_4
Via Inquirer.net

Over the past few UAAP seasons, UP fans, alumni, and students have coined the mantra “Nowhere to go but UP!” to articulate that the Fighting Maroons were finally, after years of mediocrity, climbing up the ranks of the UAAP food chain. Though truth be told, to the rest of the collegiate basketball world, that wasn’t actually the case – as evidenced by the team’s 1-27 record over from 2013-2014.

However, 2015 might be different. The Maroons beat the Red Warriors this past to weekend to win their season opener for the first time in four years. The team this year looks legitimately good, with FEU coach Nash Racela even calling them a Final Four contender.

Gelo Vito looks like he might have a breakout season, Jett Manuel is going to be someone to watch out for, their import Cheick Kone manages to rebound everything in his sight, Christian Moralde and Diego Dario are going to be solid players. Heck, even the coaching staff, with their professional look, promotes the feeling of optimism.

Finally, we can say with confidence: nowhere to go but UP!

3. La Salle, meet your potential new poster boy

UAAPIMP_h3

A photo posted by Andrei Caracut (@andreicaracut) on Aug 18, 2015 at 6:45am PDT

Uncertainty clouded the Green Archers entering this UAAP season. Sure, the return of Jason Perkins and Jeron Teng made the team a dangerous threat, but the departures of Arnold Van Opstal, Norbert Torres, and Almond Vosotros made many wonder if they would remain title contenders.

While one game is a small sample size, DLSU showed that they will be very tough to deal with this year. A reason for that is the emergence of one of their 9 rookies, Andrei Caracut, who after playing impressively in the summer tournaments, opened his collegiate career with a bang.

The former San Beda high school star dropped 13 points against NU and hit 3 3-pointers, including one right on the grill of Aroga. For someone playing in his first college game, he showed surprising poise and maturity. The scary part is he’s only going to get better.

Including this season, Teng has only two years left in a La Salle uniform. Once he moves on the pros, I think we have an idea who’s going to take his place as DLSU’s new poster boy.

2. Somebody call 911, Kiefer Ravena needs help

UAAPIMP_h2

uaap_2

Via Inquirer.net

How often can you say that Kiefer Ravena had one hell of a game–where he dropped 25 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists–yet it didn’t matter because the Blue Eagles were on the receiving end of such a bad beating from the Tamaraws that defeat was assured in the first half?

That was the case on Sunday. While FEU’s performance was the biggest reason why the Blue Eagles were in for a beating, what was also clear is that Ravena needs help from his teammates to ease the scoring burden on his shoulders.

Von Pessumal went 3-of-12 from the field, which likely won’t happen again, but it’s obvious that he’s going to have the best season of his collegiate career if Ateneo stands a chance in the Final Four. Rookies like Hubert Cani, Jerie Pingoy and the Nieto Twins need to do better moving forward. So does the team’s new import, Ikeh.

Seeing contributions from Ponzo Gotladera and Gwayne Capacio were good signs, but the Blue Eagles need much more from the other guys if they are to contend for a championship.

1. The Tamaraws are good. Scary good.

UAAPIMP_h1

@miketolomia . . . #uaap #uaap78 #uaapseason78 #ADMUvsFEU #feu #feutamaraws #hoop #ballers #ballislife #basketball #themanansala

A photo posted by Follow TheManansala (@iamthemanansala) on Sep 8, 2015 at 6:15am PDT


This one is clear after the first weekend of UAAP games. Somehow, these guys managed to shatter even the expectations put on them. They have star power. They’re deep. They play solid defense. They have a tremendous head coach.

Their beatdown of Ateneo was a clear message to the league: the UAAP goes through FEU.

 

Do you have any other thoughts from the opening games? Sound off in the comments below!


Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Naveen Ganglani

Previous Article
  • Pop

8 Epic Things That Happened Because Aldub

  • Posted on Sep 6, 2015Sep 7, 2015
  • 8List
View Post
Next Article
  • Opinion

8 People Who Would Do an Awesome Job at Directing Traffic

  • Posted on Sep 7, 2015Apr 7, 2021
  • Koko Campiglio
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Profiles
  • Sports

Who Is Alex Eala? 8 Things You Need to Know About the Filipino Tennis Star

  • Posted on Mar 27, 2025Mar 27, 2025
  • Cristina Morales
View Post
  • Sports

JD Cagulangan: Who is This Filipino Basketball Player and Why Are K-Netizens Simping Over Him?

  • Posted on Jan 13, 2025
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
  • Sports

Dream Come True: EJ Obiena Announces Launch of PH’s First Pole-Vaulting Facility

  • Posted on Nov 12, 2024Nov 12, 2024
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
  • Sports

What Was Young EJ Like? Parents of EJ Obiena Look Back at Olympian’s Early Years

  • Posted on Sep 12, 2024Sep 13, 2024
  • Gab Mallari
View Post
  • Sports

Want to Get Your Kids into Pole Vaulting? Coach Emerson Obiena Shares Tips and Breaks Down the Costs

  • Posted on Sep 4, 2024
  • Gab Mallari
View Post
  • Sports

Filipino Athletes We Lost to Other Countries After They Changed Citizenships

  • Posted on Aug 26, 2024Aug 22, 2024
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
  • Sports

Get to Know Caroline Joyeux, EJ Obiena’s Athlete Girlfriend

  • Posted on Aug 15, 2024
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
  • Sports

8 Paris 2024 Couples Who Deserve a Gold Medal for Bringing Kilig to the City of Love

  • Posted on Aug 14, 2024Aug 14, 2024
  • Kyzia Maramara

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the l8est delivered right to your inbox.

8List.ph
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Archive
  • Bitesized.ph
  • Windowseat.ph
Your daily dose of entertaining, useful and informative lists.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.