UAAP Season 86 is here and we're all for it!
The Ateneo Blue Eagles are ready to take flight for their title defense this Saturday in UAAP men's basketball as they take on the NU Bulldogs in the main game of the opening day of Season 86 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coach Tab Baldwin will have a younger group at his disposal, but the seasoned tactician is known to get the most of out his wards. With Ange Koumae, Dave Ildefonso, Forthsky Padrigao, and BJ Andrade gone, holdovers like Kai Ballungay, Sean Quitevis, and Geo Chiu are expected to carry the load for the boys of Katipunan. Rookie Mason Amos is also seen to contribute right away.
“After four or five games we should start to see what they’re really made of and how they adapt. It’s gonna be challenging, it’s gonna be fun,” said Baldwin during the media conference on Wednesday.
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The Blue Eagles exacted revenge on the UP Fighting Maroons in the finals of Season 85 to capture the title, their fourth championship in five editions.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, will try to take a bigger bite after an inspired run last season. They finished in third place in the elimination round with a 9-5 record before running into the Fighting Maroons in the Final Four.
Jake Figueroa, Kean Baclaan, and Steve Nash Enriquez are likely to step up for the Jeff Napa-coached squad, with reigning UAAP Juniors MVP Reinhard Jumamoy also expected to provide numbers. It will also be interesting to see if Ray Parks Jr.'s brother Mark Parks can provide quality minutes.
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“Lagi kong mina-mindset [sa players], tapos na ‘yung season last year. Iba na ‘yung approach ngayon. If we will not perform, if we will not go all out, magkakaroon tayo ng problema,” said Napa on One PH’s Power & Play last September 16.
In the curtain-raiser in Saturday's double-header, the UST Growling Tigers will face off against the UE Red Warriors.
Coach Pido Jarencio will make his awaited return for the España-based crew after 10 years. The cantankerous tactician will rely on reigning UAAP top scorer Nic Cabañero, Christian Manaytay, and newcomers Adama Faye and SJ Moore to improve on their listless 1-13 record last season.
In classic Jarencio style, he joked about their goal in Season 86.
"Manalo lang ng isa, okay na. Kapag dalawa, sobra na," said Jarencio to reporters last Wednesday. "[We'll take it] one game at a time."
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The Red Warriors will also hope to notch more wins this time after a 5-9 slate in Season 85. But it wasn't a lost campaign as they exceeded expectations. UE, however, hasn't been to the Final Four since 2009.
Coach Jack Santiago lost several key players in the offseason, including Kyle Paranada, but rookie Precious Momowei could help soothe that if he lives up to his name. Guard Rey Remogat, who had a memorable outing against the De La Salle Green Archers last season, will be the Warriors' top offensive threat.
Catch the opening day of UAAP Season 86 starting at 2 p.m. live this Saturday on One Sports, the Varsity Channel, and on the Pilipinas Live app.