Stags, Lions, Bombers picked NCAA title contenders

Defending champion San Sebastian, San Beda and Jose Rizal University are the hands down choice as title-contenders in the coming 86th NCAA basketball tournament. This was the sentiment of several coaches preparing their teams for the big battle to start on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. “Definitely, San Sebastian, San Beda and JRU are the favorites," said Nomar Isla, coach of the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), currently on its full season of probationary status along with Arellano University. EAC will rely again on leading scorer Argel Mendoza, Claude Cubo, brothers Russell and Lowell Yaya and ex-UST Tiger Milan Vargas. Isla’s opinion was seconded by Arellano University assistant coach Junji Ablan. “Well, it’s a three-corned fight. The only thing to be disputed is the No.4 spot, a spot which will be up for grabs for all the remaining four teams," said Ablan. The Chiefs, who finished fifth last season, will make way for the return of Leo Isaac. Isaac, who had to give up his coaching job last year when he was appointed as coach of Barako Bull in the PBA, was the man responsible for steering Arellano to back-to-back NCRAA cage crowns aside from several titles in the Fr. Martin Cup. He will rely on holdovers Adrian Celada, Isiah Ciriacruz and 5-foot-3 Leo Anquilo. The Stags will be competing minus Jimbo Aquino, who already graduated. But the departure of the team’s top gun hardly mattered for San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, who expressed confidence his team will be up to the task. With the core of the squad remaining intact, Agustin has every reason to feel upbeat. This year’s Stags still have Calvin Abueva, Pamboy Raymundo, Gilbert Bulawan, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual. "As I’ve noticed during the preseason tournaments, my players were able to adjust to the fact that Jimbo isn't with us anymore," said Agustin during Monday's press conference. "I think with the experience that we gained last year in other tournaments, we were able to win, we hope to remain competitive." Abueva, who made waves in last season's NCAA finals with his all-out, aggressive play, is expected to become the main man for San Sebastian, which is likely to get stiff opposition from San Beda and JRU. The Red Lions, who lost the chance of completing a rare four-peat, are eager to get their championship ways back. They will field Fil-Australian brothers Anthony and Dave Semerad and former RP U-18 team member Kyle Pascual to complement American Sudan Daniel inside. "It's going to be tough for us this year to compete because of the rookies," said coach Frankie Lim. "I guess it's a matter of giving them the experience and a lot of exposure. Maybe in about a year or two, they could become much better players." New Heavy Bombers mentor Vergel Meneses sees his squad as one of the top Final Four teams even without last season's Most Valuable Player John Wilson, who decided to forego his final year of eligibility. "I think with the way our players we're able to contribute during the preseason, I believe they're now more familiar with our system," said Meneses, who won his only PBA Most Valuable Player award for Sunkist Orange in 1995. Although San Sebastian, San Beda and JRU are considered as the heavy favorites in this tournament with a theme dubbed as "Youth Speaks at 86", the remaining squads are eager to show that they are no pushovers. Despite losing key players RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra, Letran hopes to make the Final Four for the eighth consecutive year with holdovers Kevin Alas, Jam Cortes and JP Belencion. Mapua will be led by 2008 Rookie of the Year Allan Mangahas, Erwin Cornejo and TG Guillermo as coach Chito Victolero tries to make the most out of his squad in their bid to make the Final Four. Signs are very encouraging for the Cardinals as they finished runner-up in the Fr. Martin’s Cup. With the addition of several players from Philippine Christian University in Marlon Gomez and Jet Vidal, Perpetual Help plans to play better and clinch its first Final Four berth since reaching the finals in 2004. "We made a total revamp from last year and I think we play much better this time around. Hopefully, we could reach the Final Four," said Altas mentor Boris Aldeguer. College of Saint Benilde coach Richard del Rosario is seeking to put his team "right in the middle of the pack by the end of the first round" behind new recruits Carlo Lastimosa, nephew of PBA great Jojo Lastimosa, Mark de Guzman and Robbie Mañalac. - RCJ/OMG, GMANews.TV