The beat of the drums start to fill the ears of basketball fans, while Philippine Basketball Twitter is at its peak from 2pm up to 8pm. Students from different schools debate on who the best team is in the league. Players start to jaw at each other in order to get an edge on the basketball court. Of course, there's the sound of the alumni, with their finger pointed towards the referee as they shout "HOY REF, FOUL?!?!?!"
When you talk about Coach Jamike Jarin, you'll describe him as a champion coach. He won last year with the San Beda Red Lions, but where he truly made his mark was with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets in the UAAP Juniors Division. He was also the coach who led the 2013-2014 Batang Gilas team to the FIBA U17 World Cup, despite not having players like Kobe Paras and Aljun Melecio on board.
It's been a while, UAAP. We missed you. It's that time of the year again.
To jump start the coverage for this season, we'll be previewing the eight teams by discussing a question that's of utmost importance for each one. This can be something that matters in the long-term or in the short-term. As long as it's something that can be a topic of discussion, we'll talk about it on this space.
Aside from the previews for each team, there might also be other companion pieces discussing the rookies and whatnot.
For our second installment of this preview series, we'll be talking about two teams who aren't seen as contenders, but have the youth and potential firepower to make some noise. I present to you your UP Fighting Maroons and NU Bulldogs.
For our second installment of this preview series, we'll be talking about two teams who aren't seen as contenders, but have the youth and potential firepower to make some noise. I present to you your UP Fighting Maroons and NU Bulldogs.
UP Fighting Maroons: How will the Fighting Maroons handle heightened expectations?
Record last season: 5-9
The UP Basketball program came into last year with little to be excited about. UAAP Season 78 Juniors Division Mythical Five member Javi Gomez de Liano was one of the few reasons UP fans could even discuss UAAP basketball, but other than that, it would just be painful to even discuss the upcoming season.'
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| (Photo Credit: Philstar.com) |
Instead, Coach Bo Perasol and crew gave UP fans something to talk about. The Fighting Maroons emerged as one of the scrappiest teams in the league during the second round of Season 79, where they managed to beat Final Four contenders Ateneo Blue Eagles and Adamson Soaring Falcons, while even giving the viewed unstoppable La Salle Green Archers a scare. It was during this stretch where Coach Bo and the rest of the Fighting Maroons started to preach about establishing a winning culture, and going through the process of making the UP program relevant again. Even though they ended their season on a sour note by getting blown out against a cellar-dweller UE team, the fans still rejoiced and celebrated this "winning culture" and feeling of hope the team had brought upon.
This season, moral victories are no more for UP. Results have to show itself, as fans' expectations regarding the team have increased.
They're no longer looked at as the easiest team to blowout in a contender's schedule. They're a legitimate threat who have also managed to acquire a number of solid pieces over the summer. UAAP Season 79 Juniors MVP Juan Gomez de Liano is the biggest name, but former Green Lancer Jun Manzo has also managed to make a big impact for the team. Sprinkle in established pieces Javi Gomez de Liano, Diego Dario, Noah Webb and leader Paul Desiderio, and you have a team that gives the UP community a lot to be excited about.
Final Four or bust? Maybe that's stretching it. But anything less than a good fight for a Final Four slot will be considered a disappointment for this UP team. It's up to the team how they'll manage these expectations.
NU Bulldogs: How will Coach Jamike Jarin handle the youth in his team?
Record last season: 5-9
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| (Photo Credit: FIBA) |
We can then confidently conclude that Coach Jamike is someone who is used to handling young players. Disciplining them and telling what to do and what not to do, he's used to that.
But handling young players in the High School level is different compared to handling them in the College level. There's added pressure in College because of all the stakeholders (media, management, etc.) you have to consider. Competition is also tougher, so there's very little leeway for players to make mistakes for the sake of development.
This is going to be new ground for Coach Jamike. With San Beda, he was given a program that already had a foundation to it. Babes Bolick already had college experience, while Javee Mocon was someone who knew how to win. That isn't the same case for this NU team. Players like Matt Salem, J-Jay Alejandro may be veterans, but they aren't going to matter in two years time.
The focus of this NU team will be on players like Jordan Bartlett, Jonas Tibayan and Enzo Joson. These are players who haven't established themselves in this level of basketball yet, but have the potential to do great things in the long run. The challenge for Jamike is to at least allow those players who showcase their potential. If he manages to succeed, that will already be a huge win for him in the long run.
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