Skip to main content

#NCAASeason92Jrs First Round Recap: We Have a Dogfight

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. 

Comments

Popular Posts

Scouting the Opposition: Troy Mallillin, future King Archer?

(Photo Credit: SLAM Philippines) Basic Information Name: Troy Mallillin Age: 18 School/Team: LSGH Greenies Years of eligibility left: 0 (Graduating)  Committed to: None (Choosing between UST, NU, Ateneo) Height: 6'3" Position: Combo Forward Projected Position: Small Forward/Shooting Guard/Point Forward Quick Hits Strengths: - Strong, college-ready body - Athleticism is off the charts - Speed is already fit for his ideal position - Versatile thanks to blend of size, athleticism, and skill - Very high upside Weaknesses: - Relatively raw - Has to work on his jump shot - Handle needs improving but is workable - Effort on defense is inconsistent Troy is best known as the NCAA MVP, but receiving the title of MVP is a tricky thing. Just because you were the MVP in the High School division doesn't mean that you'll be able to replicate those feats on the collegiate level. Former NCAA Juniors MVP Prince Rivero is undersized compared to other college big

The effects of Goldwin Monteverde's reported resignation from Adamson

On the afternoon of April 11, 2017, SPIN.ph reported that coach Goldwin Monteverde has resigned from his position as head coach of the Adamson Baby Falcons. Rumors of coach Goldwin's resignation has been going around High School basketball circles, so the news of the resignation didn't come as that much of a surprise for insiders. (Photo Credit: Hazel Siy) But for fans, the move came as quite the surprise. After all, the Baby Falcons were still projected to contend for a championship despite the controversial end that they had to their Season 79 campaign. They weren't losing that much key players to graduation, and the desire for redemption was the most important part in all of this. The fact of the matter is, Goldwin Monteverde could very well be going out of the Adamson basketball program. This move creates then a number of effects not just for the San Marcelino-based school, but also the rest of High School basketball.  1. The effect it has on the Adamson Ju

Troy Mallillin is a Blue Eagle. Now what?

(Photo Credit: Janine Torre, The GUIDON) Against the JRU Heavy Bombers, Troy Mallillin finally made his much awaited debut as a Blue Eagle. Just seeing him in uniform was already enough for fans of the Blue Eagles to go wild. Seeing a NCAA Juniors MVP wear an Ateneo jersey feels weird, for any fan. Seeing a former La Salle Greenhills player wear the blue and white? It's like an Ateneo High School boy wearing a La Salle jersey. Oh.. wait... Obviously, any Atenean is brimming with excitement right now after managing to secure (or is it really secure?) the services of the former NCAA Juniors MVP. But what else are the other implications of Troy Mallillin taking his talents to Katipunan? Let's break it down: In the short term Right now, don't expect Troy to get a lot of minutes. As mentioned before , Ateneo is filled with a number of forwards in Mike Nieto, Vince Tolentino and Raffy Verano. Shaun Ildefonso is no longer in that fray of forwards after taking his talen