FHM.com.ph

 

FEU Tamaraws
Looking back: The Tamaraws were favorites to challenge Ateneo for this year’s crown, and FEU actually finished second to the Eagles at the end of the elimination round. Then star guard Mark Barroca was dropped from the team after being accused of dropping games. Then the situation turned ugly. Really ugly. Really, really, really ugly. Really, really, really, really, really ugly. You get the point.

Looking forward: FEU has one of the best recruitment networks in college basketball, they’re reasonably intact for next season, and there’s no reason for them not to be contenders. Their outlook could not possibly be uglier than it was last year, now that Barroca is no longer with the team.
Analysis: I still believe that FEU would have been more successful if RR Garcia went by the name ‘Ryan Garcia’ instead. No UAAP team wins a championship when its starting point guard is named like an FHM cover girl.

NU Bulldogs
Looking back: Season 72 was actually a rebuilding year for the UAAP’s perennial whipping boys, although you’d never really know it because they were losing just as much as they would in a regular year. The Bulldogs though had reason to hope after it was announced at the beginning of the season that the Sy family of SM fame bought the university and were looking to build up the basketball program.
Looking forward: The rebuilding program continues after coach Manny Dandan was let go after the season. Rumor was that NU was trying to lure Letran coach Louie Alas to its fold, but the whispers have died down and it looks like Alas will be staying in Intramuros.
Analysis: After Dandan was fired, the reaction of most analysts was, “What, NU actually had a coach all these years?”

UE Red Warriors
Looking back: UE had a fun run through Season 72, led by the spectacular Paul Lee and the solid frontcourt of Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, and Val Acuña. The Warriors gave Ateneo a good scare in the Finals with a huge game 2 victory, but faded away in game 3.
Looking forward: Espiritu, Llagas, and Acuña will be leaving the team, which means that UE’s front line will be paper-thin, unless coach Lawrence Chongson is able to recruit quality big men. Chongson, meanwhile, has enough guards in his rotation to start a security agency.
Analysis: While both Chongson and fellow Tsinoy coach Alfrancis Chua rock the long hair, the UE mentor should consider asking Chua for hair care advice. Chua has nice, moisturized locks while Chongson’s hair is dry.

UP Fighting Maroons
Looking back: The UP Fighting Maroons won a measly three games, and their fans were ecstatic with their performance. “Hey,” UP fans said, “that’s why they call us the Fighting Maroons, not the Winning Maroons.”
Looking forward: Next year’s UP lineup has potential to contend, with the entry of Fil-Am swingman Mike Silungan and a Nigerian center named Mbah “Alinko” Ifeanyi. Most Maroons fans hear the words “UP” and “Final Four” and start laughing hysterically, thinking it’s a hilarious joke.
Analysis: UP will win the championship next year. In cheerdance.

UST Growling Tigers
Looking back: Led by top guns in MVP Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza, and hotshot rookie Jeric Teng, Pido Jarencio’s boys lived and died with the three-point shot. The Tigers did more dying than living though, as they limped to the finish line, ending the season with four consecutive losses despite making it to the Final Four.
Looking forward: Things look even bleaker for the Tigers, with their top scorers Ababou and Mirza leaving. There have been whispers that coach Pido Jarencio’s job is in jeopardy, although it’s hard to believe that UST would fire the coach who led them to a championship as recently as 2006.
Analysis: On the remote chance that he does get let go, Jarencio should still be able to make a good living in the night club stand-up comedy circuit as a sidekick to Allan K.

To read Scenes from the UAAP Finals Game 3, click here