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#NCAASeason92Jrs First Round Recap: We Have a Dogfight

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We're just living in Troy Mallilin's world at this point.
(Photo Credit: Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports) 

Current Standing

Arellano Braves           8-1
San Beda Red Cubs     8-1
Malayan Red Robins   7-2
LSGH Greenies           6-3
Lyceum Junior Pirates 5-4
Letran Squires             4-5
UPHSD Altalettes       4-5
JRU Light Bombers    2-7
SSC-R Staglets           1-8
EAC Brigadiers          0-9

Top in Stats after Round One:

Troy Mallilin, LSGH 21.8 PPG
Aaron Fermin, Arellano 11.1 RPG
Joel Cagulangan, LSGH 4.7 APG
Joel Cagulangan, LSGH, 3.6 SPG
Aaron Fermin, Arellano, 2.0 BPG 


Major Storyline to Follow

We have a Dogfight for First Place

San Beda's back on top this time around, but with company.
(Photo Credit: Richard Esguerra, ABS CBN Sports) 
Based on the standings, it looks like only San Beda and Arellano are in the running for first place. Given how intense their battles were, it only makes perfect sense that they're eventually going to be fighting for positioning for top spot. 

In reality however, that isn't the case at all. If anything, the race for first place is between four teams right now: San Beda, Arellano, Malayan and La Salle.

The case for San Beda and Arellano are simple. They have some of the very best players right now and the coaching that they receive is something else. Nothing else has to be said when it comes to the case of those two teams. 

The third team in the running are the Malayan Red Robins. Under the radar the entire season, the Red Robins are actually one of the very best teams in the league. If it weren't for San Beda and Arellano, Malayan would have been rampaging through the entire league. Things are bound to get even better for Malayan, as they're due to have reigning MVP Michael Enriquez back in the line up sooner than later. 

The fourth team in the running are the LSGH Greenies. Led by man-child Troy Mallilin, LSGH sees themselves as the team with the highest stock after the end of the first round thanks to their upset of a win against the Arellano Braves. Given the amount of upsets that have happened in the first round and LSGH's upward trajectory as of late, it may very well be possible that LSGH grabs the first place spot come the end of the eliminations. 

It's not just a San Beda 8 peat tour ladies and gentlemen. The NCAA Juniors Basketball tournnament is a dogfight, and you better be ready for the madness come the second round. 
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