It's 15 days to go before the UAAP starts, and the excitement for the tournament is slowly increasing as the tournament draws closer.
Even though we've had multiple preseason tourneys and various tune-ups, there are still various questions that come out every time a team is mentioned. What are some of these questions which fans are hoping to be answered as soon as possible?
Here are some of the questions:
UST Growling Tigers: Will they surprise once again?
No one expected UST to finish a game away from a championship last season. Considering their lack of depth and unproven coaching, there was no reason for fans to believe that they would have even made it to the Final Four.
UST finds themselves in the same situation, albeit with different characters this time around.
Instead of being led by Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul, the Growling Tigers will be led by Kent Lao, Renzo Subido and Louie Vigil. Ferrer and Daquioag were high upside players who were able to show their potential. On the other hand, Abdul was already a proven commodity, but not exactly the superstar UST needed during that time. It all worked well in the end however.
With new head coach Boy Sablan, a ton of questions surround the Growling Tigers as the season approaches. But if there's one that has to be answered, it's this: Can they surprise once again?
UE Red Warriors: Can they finally get over the hump?
The UE Red Warriors surprised teams last season with their all around solid play thanks to the Pumaren Press, but sadly it wasn't enough to catapult them to the Final Four. With barely any graduating players from last year and some solid new additions, UE is primed for a big run this year.
The problem with UE is, it has always been like this for them. They add new players, expectations are high for the team, and somehow, they end up disappointing the UE community with sub par performances. This was most evident during Season 76, where they failed to even make it to the Final Four after winning it all in the Filoil Preseason tournament.
Even though almost all teams have reloaded one way or another, UE is still expected to be a competitive team somehow. Question is, can they get past the hump and be more than just a team that is able to compete day in and day out?
UP Fighting Maroons: Are things going UP for the Fighting Maroons?
The UP Fighting Maroons have long been considered as the laughingstock of the league because of their poor performances relative to the rest of the league. They made quite a leap last season, even reaching a point where they were considered as a Final Four contender.
Sadly that's all it was for the Fighting Maroons. Just a point where they were considered a contender. The rest of the way? They were back to being the laughingstock of the league.
Even though that's the case, you can't deny that UP made a leap in terms of their performance. With new head coach Bo Perasol, a bunch of new additions such as UAAP Mythical Five member Javi Gomez de Liano, there's a lot of reasons to be excited for UP's rise this upcoming Season 79.
They may not make it to the Final Four just yet, but the least we could have is a UP team that has progress over their improvements from last season.
Adamson Soaring Falcons: Is Franz Pumaren enough to bring the team over the top?
The Adamson Soaring Falcons made some noise last season after upsetting Final Four bound La Salle Green Archers and giving teams such as the FEU Tamaraws quite a fight. They may have ended the season with a lowly 3-11 record, but there was plenty of reason to feel good about the Soaring Falcons after their performance late Season 78.
With legendary head Coach Franz Pumaren and a bunch of new recruits, much more is expected from the team this Season 79.
The Soaring Falcons weren't able to make it to the Final Four of the Filoil tournament, but there was a lot of reasons to feel pretty good about their chances of competing this Season 79. Papi Sarr was his usual dominant self, while Jerrick Ahanmisi showed off his potential with some riveting performances.
But what was most striking was how Coach Franz Pumaren handled the team. Question is, can his handling be enough to bring the team to a championship given their talent and coaching?
NU Bulldogs: Can the young guns of the Bulldogs grow up in time for a title?
The NU Bulldogs have always been viewed by people as the Grit 'N Grind team of the UAAP because of their usual slow style of pace. Having big man Alfred Aroga supports this kind of notion as well.
That may not be the case any more, after players like Gelo Alolino and Kyle Neypes have been lost due to graduation. Now, guys like Matthew Aquino and Rev Diputado are part of the team's core. Young, energetic players that pushes NU to play faster this time around.
However, these young players of the Bulldogs are also expected to grow up quickly if they want to contend for a championship and not just a Final Four slot. Can they do it?
Ateneo Blue Eagles: Who's their top gun?
Losing Kiefer Ravena meant it was time for players like CJ Perez and Arvin Tolentino to take the mantle as King Eagle. Losing them including 5 other players leaves the Blue Eagles with a big hole to fill.
Question is, who can fill that hole for them?
The laziest choice is (rumored to be) Team Captain Vince Tolentino since he is the captain of the team. But in reality, he isn't fit to be their top gun given his lack of an offensive game. Thirdy Ravena is another solid option, but his game isn't that polished yet to be an efficient offensive top gun. There's also Aaron Black, Kris Porter, Chibueze Ikeh and Jolo Mendoza as options, but do they really have the capabilities to deliver for the team in the clutch?
They may have Coach Tab Baldwin at the helm, but having a top gun will help the chances of this Blue Eagles team even more. So who will it be?
FEU Tamaraws: Can they repeat despite their youth?
The FEU Tamaraws came into Season 78 with the title of being the top championship contender in the league. They didn't disappoint, as they dominated almost every team that they were faced against.
This season, they don't enter with the same title, but the question still remains: Can the FEU Tamaraws somehow repeat amidst the odds?
Losing Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Russel Escoto is a huge blow for their chances, but that doesn't mean that FEU is lacking in talent. Having young talents such as Wendell Comboy, Brandrey Bienes and the Holmqvist brothers certainly help FEU's chances, but we have to remember that they are still young.
This is a completely different FEU team compared to last season. Instead of having an experienced team, what the Tamaraws have this time around is a team that is full of youth. Will they be able to repeat amidst this?
De La Salle Green Archers: To sweep or not to sweep?
Dominant.
If there's one word to describe this De La Salle Green Archers based on their preseason, it's that. With Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng leading the charge of the Taft-based squad, seeing blowout after blowout per game was of no surprise. It was scary to watch, but in a sense, it wasn't that surprising to see La Salle dominate by that much.
All eyes are on La Salle. Every move of theirs will be watched. A loss will be considered a failure by many.
The question stands for the Green Archers: To sweep or not to sweep?
Even though we've had multiple preseason tourneys and various tune-ups, there are still various questions that come out every time a team is mentioned. What are some of these questions which fans are hoping to be answered as soon as possible?
Here are some of the questions:
UST Growling Tigers: Will they surprise once again?
 |
| Without Ferrer and Daquioag, all eyes are on Louie Vigil. (Photo Credit: Inquirer.net) |
UST finds themselves in the same situation, albeit with different characters this time around.
Instead of being led by Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul, the Growling Tigers will be led by Kent Lao, Renzo Subido and Louie Vigil. Ferrer and Daquioag were high upside players who were able to show their potential. On the other hand, Abdul was already a proven commodity, but not exactly the superstar UST needed during that time. It all worked well in the end however.
With new head coach Boy Sablan, a ton of questions surround the Growling Tigers as the season approaches. But if there's one that has to be answered, it's this: Can they surprise once again?
UE Red Warriors: Can they finally get over the hump?
 |
| Can Batiller's all-around play bring UE to the top? (Photo Credit: Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports) |
The problem with UE is, it has always been like this for them. They add new players, expectations are high for the team, and somehow, they end up disappointing the UE community with sub par performances. This was most evident during Season 76, where they failed to even make it to the Final Four after winning it all in the Filoil Preseason tournament.
Even though almost all teams have reloaded one way or another, UE is still expected to be a competitive team somehow. Question is, can they get past the hump and be more than just a team that is able to compete day in and day out?
UP Fighting Maroons: Are things going UP for the Fighting Maroons?
 |
| Can Diego Dario help lead the UP Maroons to a progressive season? (Photo Credit: Mon Rubio, The Shaded Lane) |
Sadly that's all it was for the Fighting Maroons. Just a point where they were considered a contender. The rest of the way? They were back to being the laughingstock of the league.
Even though that's the case, you can't deny that UP made a leap in terms of their performance. With new head coach Bo Perasol, a bunch of new additions such as UAAP Mythical Five member Javi Gomez de Liano, there's a lot of reasons to be excited for UP's rise this upcoming Season 79.
They may not make it to the Final Four just yet, but the least we could have is a UP team that has progress over their improvements from last season.
Adamson Soaring Falcons: Is Franz Pumaren enough to bring the team over the top?
 |
| Can Jerrick Ahanmisi justify the hype he has received? (Photo Credit: Inquirer.net) |
With legendary head Coach Franz Pumaren and a bunch of new recruits, much more is expected from the team this Season 79.
The Soaring Falcons weren't able to make it to the Final Four of the Filoil tournament, but there was a lot of reasons to feel pretty good about their chances of competing this Season 79. Papi Sarr was his usual dominant self, while Jerrick Ahanmisi showed off his potential with some riveting performances.
But what was most striking was how Coach Franz Pumaren handled the team. Question is, can his handling be enough to bring the team to a championship given their talent and coaching?
NU Bulldogs: Can the young guns of the Bulldogs grow up in time for a title?
 |
| (Photo Credit: Roy Afable, ClutchPlay.ph) |
That may not be the case any more, after players like Gelo Alolino and Kyle Neypes have been lost due to graduation. Now, guys like Matthew Aquino and Rev Diputado are part of the team's core. Young, energetic players that pushes NU to play faster this time around.
However, these young players of the Bulldogs are also expected to grow up quickly if they want to contend for a championship and not just a Final Four slot. Can they do it?
Ateneo Blue Eagles: Who's their top gun?
 |
| (Photo Credit: Inquirer.net) |
Question is, who can fill that hole for them?
The laziest choice is (rumored to be) Team Captain Vince Tolentino since he is the captain of the team. But in reality, he isn't fit to be their top gun given his lack of an offensive game. Thirdy Ravena is another solid option, but his game isn't that polished yet to be an efficient offensive top gun. There's also Aaron Black, Kris Porter, Chibueze Ikeh and Jolo Mendoza as options, but do they really have the capabilities to deliver for the team in the clutch?
They may have Coach Tab Baldwin at the helm, but having a top gun will help the chances of this Blue Eagles team even more. So who will it be?
FEU Tamaraws: Can they repeat despite their youth?
 |
| (Photo Credit: Spin.ph) |
This season, they don't enter with the same title, but the question still remains: Can the FEU Tamaraws somehow repeat amidst the odds?
Losing Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Russel Escoto is a huge blow for their chances, but that doesn't mean that FEU is lacking in talent. Having young talents such as Wendell Comboy, Brandrey Bienes and the Holmqvist brothers certainly help FEU's chances, but we have to remember that they are still young.
This is a completely different FEU team compared to last season. Instead of having an experienced team, what the Tamaraws have this time around is a team that is full of youth. Will they be able to repeat amidst this?
De La Salle Green Archers: To sweep or not to sweep?
 |
| (Photo Credit: Inquirer.net) |
If there's one word to describe this De La Salle Green Archers based on their preseason, it's that. With Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng leading the charge of the Taft-based squad, seeing blowout after blowout per game was of no surprise. It was scary to watch, but in a sense, it wasn't that surprising to see La Salle dominate by that much.
All eyes are on La Salle. Every move of theirs will be watched. A loss will be considered a failure by many.
The question stands for the Green Archers: To sweep or not to sweep?
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