UAAP Season 80 Preview: Top Newcomers to watch out for the upcoming UAAP season

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?!?!?!" 

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 the fourth installment of this preview series, we'll be talking about the top newcomers for this season. Not necessarily the rookies fresh out of high school. Even those who had to undergo residency. As long as this is your first season, you qualify as a potential top newcomer. Here are some of our choices:

Juan Gomez de Liano, UP Fighting Maroons

(Photo Credit: Vyn Radovan, SLAM Philippines)

In the eyes of many the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, UAAP Season 79 Juniors Division MVP Juan Gomez de Liano has a lot of fans in UP excited for what he'll be bringing to the team. After all, it's been a while since the Fighting Maroons program has managed to nab a player of Juan's caliber.

It wouldn't be fair to expect Juan to put up monster numbers in his rookie season like what Ray Ray Parks did six years ago. Paul Desiderio is the leader of this UP team, so Coach Bo Perasol will likely center his offense around him. That's not to say Juan will end up with bad stats for this season. Even though he's best known for his ability to create easy baskets, he's also shown the ability to play off the ball and shoot spot-ups, or score drives off cuts. 

Juan will likely not put up monstrous statistics this season. It's not his time just yet. What he will show this rookie season is a ton of promise and potential for the Fighting Maroons program. He's seen as their hope for a Final Four slot, and he'll show you he deserves to be viewed as such.

Tyler Tio, Ateneo Blue Eagles 

(Photo Credit: Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports)

It's better late than never for Tyler Tio.

Tyler was supposed to already play last season, but issues regarding his citizenship and eligibility barred him from doing so. He was left waiting around the sidelines, playing for Ateneo's Glory Be team for the mean time. Finally, Tyler has the chance to show his stuff in the UAAP.

People often compare Tio to Chris Tiu, and you couldn't blame them. His steely-eyed resolve, focus, and utmost professionalism scream Chris Tiu. But beyond these characteristics, what truly makes Tyler stand out is his versatility on both ends of the floor. He has the size to defend multiple positions, and he's skilled enough to play both guard positions with ease.

For Ateneo, however, what fans should truly be excited about is his ability to finish games. He showed this in spurts during preseason tournaments, and we may be finally witness to this once the Blue Eagles have their to the wall in crucial games.

Leonard "Santi" Santillan, DLSU Green Archers

(Photo Credit: Spin.ph)

Fans revere a player like Arvin Tolentino as a rare breed because of the versatility he presents on the offensive end. You don't see any players like Arvin in the College level. He has the size of a forward, but his skill set screams guard. The DLSU Green Archers' latest recruit, Santi Santillan would love to give Arvin a run for his money.

If Arvin is in the mold of a legitimate wing player, Santi's game resembles more of a combo forward. He can play in practically any position in the court, but where he truly thrives is inside the three-point arc. Santi's athletic and skilled enough to get to the rim to drive, but he can also bang with the imports of the UAAP thanks to his strong frame.

Where La Sallians should truly get excited about is the versatility Santi presents for La Salle. Need to play small? He can play as a small-ball center. What about a regular big line-up with Ben Mbala at center? No problem, he has the skill to be a stretch four. What about go wild, and play a jumbo line-up? Baltazar at five, Mbala at four and Santi at three. It will work. And the other UAAP teams should start to take build a game-plan that can negate Santillan's versatility.

Troy Mallillin, Ateneo Blue Eagles

(Photo Credit: Janine Torre, The GUIDON)

Don't count on Coach Tab Baldwin giving Troy Mallillin heavy minutes. As mentioned before, Troy isn't in the mold of a "Coach Tab player", and even if he was, he's still way too raw to provide consistent production for the Blue Eagles. So gaudy statistics like he did with the La Salle Greenhills in High School? That's not happening.

What fans should look forward to with Mallillin is his potential. As it is, Troy is already a good player. His athleticism and strength are off the charts, trumping even the strongest and most athletic College players. There will be instances where Troy will make you jump out of your seat because of a ridiculous shot he was able to make, or a monster rebound he managed to grab. But there will also be instances where he will leave you shaking your head because of a bone-headed decision he suddenly made. 

He certainly still needs to work on his skills if he wants to be given heavy minutes for a Blue Eagles team bevy with players of his position. The potential to be great is certainly there. Sky-high even. But he has to do the work in order to be a great player. For now, we can just bask at the flashes of greatness he shows with his athleticism, and hope he manages to reach his ceiling as an athlete.

Jordan Bartlett, NU Bulldogs

(Photo Credit: Daytimeview.com)

Jordan Bartlett's name has been thrown around on a number of basketball forums for quite some time now. He's a Fil-Foreigner who's been hyped up by many to be a star, someone who could potentially player for Gilas Pilipinas in the near future. He's backed up his hype with solid play in the States, with a video of him scoring 41 points at the world-famous Rucker Park circulating around the internet. It's time for Jordan to showcase his stuff in front of the basketball-crazy Philippines.

In the brief time he played with the Bulldogs during the Filoil tournament, what Bartlett showcased was his ability to control an offense. He's a steady guard who clearly knows what he's doing. He'd rarely force the issue and try to play like a ball hog, opting to pass to his teammates when need be. 

The UAAP season is a completely different monster compared to the preseason. Still, fans remain excited about Bartlett's debut for the Bulldogs, anticipating him to bring a lot to the table for a team that is in the middle of a rebuild. He may not dominate initially, but what he'll showcase is steady play making for a Bulldogs team that is young and hungry.

Tyrus Hill, Adamson Soaring Falcons

(Photo Credit: Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports)

After losing last year versus the DLSU Green Archers in the Final Four, the Adamson Soaring Falcons were projected by many to contend the following year. They still had a great core (Sarr, Ahanmisi, Manalang) to lean on, along with some solid pieces in the bench who can help making things easier for their main guns. Over the summer, they showcased an additional piece who could make things way easier for Adamson.

Tyrus Hill showcased freak athleticism for the Soaring Falcons during the Filoil tournament. He never came up with the biggest stats (It was Papi Sarr normally doing that), but he wowed crowds with his ability to play up and down the floor, and his ridiculous leaping ability. An athletic, mobile big? A great fit for the Pumaren press.

Hill won't be putting up monster stats. Let Sarr and Ahanmisi do that. What he'll provide for an Adamson team aiming for a title is versatility, and a ton of energy when the team is lacking it. Oh, and dunks. He'll likely put someone on a poster by the end of the season.