Let's start the ball rolling for UAAP Season 75 Men's Basketball!

[kenilworth12]

Regarding men's basketball in Season 75......

A lot of hype and excitement, especially for the teams which recruited successfully for Season 75. However, disappoinment will quickly set in for these teams when they realize in the first few weeks of next season that their teams have basically carried over their past dysfunctions and losing tendencies despite their seemingly great new recruits.

Season 75 will be "same old, same old."

Tama diyan. Take note of UP in recent years, much hyped recruits, poor coaching + performance, nagsialisan na halos lahat.

[binomial24]

do you even know the concept of "dark horse"

reigning 4-Time DEFENDING CHAMPIONS who not only has the deepest bench but the strongest starting 5 in the UAAP on top of having the best coach in the league is the "dark horse" ? next time dont use figures of speech when you dont know their meanings.

NU and UST will definitely be the dark horses next season.

Protective much with Ateneo? Proven na that they really have the advantage next season, the experience and stuffs. Although I want an Ateneo downfall next season Upsets, upsets and upsets

If this will happen, I wonder how will Atenistas accept their loss, what will be their reactions, especially that for them, UAAP is only basketball? Or should I include you to them? Haha, jk. With the first stringers composed of only 5 members in season 75, and not 7 (including 2 refs last season), will they survive other teams? haha just kidding

Final Four:

1. Ateneo
2. UST
3. NU
4. FEU

[maroonmartian]

Yan muna gagawin naming mga taga Diliman for the 1st semester. Got to save that for a more important sports. FOOTBALL.

Pwede matapos na ang basketball. Hey we are gunning for our third title in football. Pwede against UST ulit?

[binomial24]

Ahm wait. Count us in.

UST's going to prepare for its championship bids in 8 sporting events, plus ready to snare our "lost" championships in Season 74. So that would mean, we're up for our 40th General championship and 15th straight.

#EspanaCantJustBeBeatenByArchersAndOthers

[carolous21]

How about ADU? Andyan pa din si Camson at Nuyles. Tapos mga role players like Brondial, Cabrera (wag lang magpilit sa tres), manyara, etrone? May naririnig din ako na ok daw maglaro yung recruit nila, jericho cruz. Tingin ko F4 parin tong ADU.

UST, sure F4 din to. Sana makabalik din si daquioag, kumpleto din line up. Sana lang mawala na yung mga dapat mawala. (ahem ahem aytona tan javier lao ahem ahem).

ADMU, malaking chance na mag 5peat. Hopefully may maka upset naman sa kanila sa F4 or Finals, basta sure ng F4 yan.

DLSU di pa sure kasi di pa naman natin nakikita kong ano magiging style ng laro nila this coming season. Pero sa scoring siguro lalakas talaga sila dahil dun sa teng.

NU, mula 2010 malakas na talaga sila, di ko lang alam bat di parin sila umaabot sa F4. Siguro this year, ngayong nag blend na siguro yung team, either no.3 or 4 spot makukuha ng team na to.

FEU, parati naman may malakas na nadadagdag diyan eh. Mga provincial players yung mga Xfactor ng Tams. Sino ba mga recruit nila this coming season?

UE and UP wala ako masyado naririnig sa team nila, makikita na lang natin sa pre season.

Well mga sariling haka haka ko lang to. Ano sa tingin niyo?

[RuckuS]

NU and UST will definitely be the dark horses next season.

Protective much with Ateneo? Proven na that they really have the advantage next season, the experience and stuffs. Although I want an Ateneo downfall next season Upsets, upsets and upsets

If this will happen, I wonder how will Atenistas accept their loss, what will be their reactions, especially that for them, UAAP is only basketball? Or should I include you to them? Haha, jk. With the first stringers composed of only 5 members in season 75, and not 7 (including 2 refs last season), will they survive other teams? haha just kidding

Final Four:

1. Ateneo
2. UST
3. NU
4. FEU

where do i begin. first of all, im not at all "protective much of Ateneo", just noticed the wrong usage of a figure of speech that the previous poster used incorrectly just to "spruce" up his post.

next is.. NOSE BLEED!

[Hindsight]

UAAP Basketball: One last year in Ateneo for that old Black magic
MAV C. GONZALES March 18, 2012 3:29pm


Only two minutes were left in the fourth quarter. It’s Game Two of the 2008 UAAP Finals between archrivals Ateneo and La Salle. The odds were in favor of the Blue Eagles as the green shirts played without foul-saddled stalwarts Jvee Casio and Rico Maierhofer. The buzzer rang. 62-51. Team captain Chris Tiu was in tears as he hugged the man who steered them to their first championship in six years – Coach Norman Black.

“After three years of not winning, a lot of people were already being negative about the team,” recalls Black.

But after three more years and three more crowns, Ateneo finds itself at a crossroad. The head coach who gave them a four-peat would leave after one last season to bring back that old black magic to the PBA.

Going back to college

Ateneo University Athletics Director Ricky Palou offered Black the job of team consultant to the Blue Eagles in 2004.

Black, a successful import in the PBA, had moved up the ranks from player, to player-coach, to full-time coach, steering the San Miguel Beermen franchise to nine crowns, plus a grandslam in 1989. But after 2002, Black’s contract with his last team, the Sta. Lucia Realtors, was not renewed, opening the door for him to accept the Ateneo gig. A year after taking the consultant role, he replaced Sandy Arespacochaga as head coach of a team that was already at the cusp of greatness.

Norman Black, always a hands-on coach, teaches defense to former skipper Chris Tiu and the rest of the team. MAV C. GONZALES

He knew how he wanted the team to turn out: a defensive powerhouse. He always reminded his boys that “defense wins championships.” How he would materialize that goal was the tricky part. It was his first time handling a college team, and he was a bit unsure at first because he wasn’t familiar enough with his team.

“I was handed a team that I didn’t know. I didn’t recruit any of those players so there was a very small bond. I had to find out their strengths and weaknesses, what works and what doesn’t,” he says.

Darkest before the dawn

After a debut season that saw Black pilot the Blue Eagles to a 10-4 record and a spot in the semifinals, everybody thought that the Blue Eagles would recapture the crown in 2006. With a lineup that included JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Macky Escalona, among others, Ateneo easily finished the elimination round at the top of the pack. In the Finals, they met a University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers team that had only mustered flashes of brilliance during the elimination round.

As it turned out, Ateneo would be blinded by one of those same flashes.

Game One was something a true blue fan would forever have etched in his or her memory. With a second left in the game, UST was up by one point, 72-71. The Growling Tigers were already celebrating until the referees reminded them that there was still a second left.

With UST crowding their defense on Ateneo’s outside shooters, Kramer was left open under the post. He easily hit a board shot off the inbounds pass to make it, 73-72, first blood to Ateneo.

But it was all UST from that point on. No one could have warned Ateneo about Dylan Ababou and Jojo Duncil, both of whom produced remarkable double-digit outings in the next two games. Ateneo lost the rest of the series, with a heartbreaking one field goal deficit in Game Three, 76-74.

The Ateneo faithful were disappointed. They were all prepared for the impending Bonfire, a big university party held in celebration of UAAP champion teams. In eager anticipation, they had even bought fireworks which unfortunately wouldn’t get lit.

In 2007, they finished third after losing to eventual champion La Salle in the semifinals. No fireworks once again. Black’s Eagles seemed stuck in a rut, with some alumni quietly wondering if a change at the coaching spot would do the team some good. Then the winning began.

Four-peat

After three very close cracks at the crown, the Blue Eagles finally won the first of their four UAAP championships in 2008.

“It was the fourth and final year of my contract with Ateneo. Everybody wanted to win the championship in time for the celebration of Ateneo’s sesquicentennial in 2009. Thank God we finally made it after three years,” Black explains.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini is one of the many big men Black molded into super centers and forwards. MAV C. GONZALES

It was well worth the wait as they did not only win – they dethroned defending champion La Salle. It was a sweet revenge for the Eagles.

Three more trophies came after that, one over the University of the East Red Warriors and two over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. But of the four, there was one that Black held close to his heart.

“My most favorite memory with Ateneo would have to be our third championship. It was the year that we were not favored to win. Rabeh and Nonoy had graduated. People were saying it’s not the same winning team. You won’t win. There’s no superstar,” he shares.

The Hail Mary squad finished the elimination round at second place after dominating the standings dutring the past two years. While they had four losses in the round robin stage, they easily swept the semifinals against Adamson and the Finals versus FEU.

“I feel that we were overachievers that season,” says Black with a smile of satisfaction on his face.

The Rajko-Chot-Norman shuffle

While everything was going Ateneo’s way in the collegiate ranks, something was brewing in the pros and Black was smack in the middle of it.

When the Pilipinas Smart Gilas failed to win FIBA Asia, the management decided not to renew Coach Rajko Toroman’s contract. Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes was eyed to lead the next incarnation of the national team, leaving the PBA chair open. Rumors had it that the bosses wanted Black, a consultant for the squad, in there.

“I know the players very well and we also run a defensive system. It became easier to decide because I knew I’m not moving from a strong to a weak team,” he says.

Black led the Blue Eagles not just to four UAAP crowns, but also to several national and pre-season titles. His UAAP record was an outstanding 78-18 win-loss after Season 74, along the way producing PBA stars (JC Intal, Doug Kramer, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao), ABL standouts (Jai Reyes) and national team players (Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva).

As you might have guessed, Ateneo tried to make Black stay.

“Not only the school, but also the alumni tried to convince me to stay. But at this point in my career, I feel that this is the best for myself and for my family,” he shares.

On February 18, the rumors of Black leaving Ateneo were finally put to rest because they were confirmed. Ateneo officially announced that Black would resign after the 2012 season to return to the PBA. He would, however, stay as team consultant for two more years.

He shares that the players were all aware of it even before he sat them down. With all the speculations in the papers, the boys were saddened but not at all shocked when they heard the news.

“We've been hearing that it's Coach Norman's last year and probably to give everybody peace of mind, they just announced it so we could focus,” says prized recruit Greg Slaughter.

“But training is still the same as we've set our goal for the five-peat. And I know I definitely want to do everything I can to make Coach Norman’s last season the best it can be,” he adds.

The end of Black’s dynasty

“Of course it is hard for me to just let go of Ateneo. I’ve been here the last eight years. We’ve basically built a collegiate powerhouse team. And whenever you change jobs, there’s always a question on the transition,” says Black.

While Black’s future is already assured, there’s still the looming question of his replacement. As of writing, the selection committee still hadn’t named a new head coach. Even though he’ll only have three more years, this season as coach, two more as consultant with the Blue Eagles, he wants to make sure that he’ll leave them in an able hand. He is, after all, not just a coach. He has become the players’ mentor and second father figure.

“Watching the players improve their talent and grow – that’s probably the thing I’m proudest of during my stay here. When the players come in at 16 or 17, all stars back in high school, they’re still immature,” he stops and smiles.

Black intends to leave Ateneo on a high note. MAV C. GONZALES
“But you see them slowly grow not just as players, but as people, in your team.”

And as a gift to his team and to the university that took him in for almost a decade, there’s one last thing he wants to accomplish.

“All the other teams are sick of us winning, we know that. And our goal’s the same as every year. I want to win the championship. How many people in this era can say that they’ve won a five-peat?” he says without batting an eyelash.

He glanced at his players who were warming up for a tune-up game. After giving a few reminders to his assistant coaches, he checked their playbook. It was just like every other day in training. The players acted like they were not losing the coach who led them to four straight titles. At the same time, it seemed like the whole gym was a ticking time bomb of emotions – excitement, sadness, pressure, anxiety, all rolled in one.

“For sure it’s going to be more emotional after the UAAP,” he said, as if reading this writer's mind, aware of the silent countdown, ticking away to his departure.

“But right now, I’m still here. There’s still work to be done.”

He stood up and went to the huddle. They had a tune-up game to win. - AMD, GMA NEWS


Gargantuan shoes to be filled by the next ATENEO coach.

Coach Norman has gained my respect and admiration for his perseverance despite losing to UST and LA SALLE in 2006 & 2007 respectively. And now that 5-peat dream is within his grasp come UAAP Season 75 before moving on to greater achievements in the PBA.

[kenilworth12]

Although I want an Ateneo downfall next season Upsets, upsets and upsets

Tama!!!!

[AvidaTowers]

Ahm wait. Count us in.

UST's going to prepare for its championship bids in 8 sporting events, plus ready to snare our "lost" championships in Season 74. So that would mean, we're up for our 40th General championship and 15th straight.

#EspanaCantJustBeBeatenByArchersAndOthers

SWAG! Haha. Although tama ka, Overall championship naman talaga ang UAAP. Di lang basketball, Cheerdance nor football

do you even know the concept of "dark horse"

reigning 4-Time DEFENDING CHAMPIONS who not only has the deepest bench but the strongest starting 5 in the UAAP on top of having the best coach in the league is the "dark horse" ? next time dont use figures of speech when you dont know their meanings.

oh my bad. well, what I mean lang is that liyamado ang Ateneo when it comes to players and coachers, so I thought the figure of speech I've used was the same with liyamado. Okay, now alam ko na. Thanks.

[Vatos_Locos]

puro rookies ang lasal

[RuckuS]

SWAG! Haha. Although tama ka, Overall championship naman talaga ang UAAP. Di lang basketball, Cheerdance nor football



oh my bad. well, what I mean lang is that liyamado ang Ateneo when it comes to players and coachers, so I thought the figure of speech I've used was the same with liyamado. Okay, now alam ko na. Thanks.

aside from the "dark horse" analogy, you actually have a pretty good analysis.

- among all the teams last year, Adamson took the most crucial personnel loss. depending on who they will be recruiting and if they have a gem or two on their training team will determine if they make it back into the final4.

- FEU, as usual will still be a strong team.
- UP, as usual will still be a weak team.

Final4 Prediction

1) Ateneo
2) FEU
3) UST
4) Adamson or NU

6) DLSU
7) UE
8) UP

[RuckuS]

double post

[DBecks2009]

3. UST - the status of Chris Camus is still uncertain. But none-the-less, the Tigers will have a strong campaign next season. The Jeric-Jeric tandem will remain their biggest weapon, low-post monster Karim Abdul is back on his second year, the UAAP season 73 juniors' MVP Kevin Ferrer and NCAA MVP Louie Vigil are now back on the court with a more-conditioned bodies. Tata Bautista and Aljon Mariano are back! Plus surprise recruits next season.

It is already confirmed. Jeric Teng and some UST players already tweeted that Chris can no longer play late last year.

[jack]

puro rookies ang lasal

Puro guardya ang Lasal

[voltaire_mad]

It is already confirmed. Jeric Teng and some UST players already tweeted that Chris can no longer play late last year.

That's too bad.

But at least, this early, its already confirmed and that the team and coaching staff can fully prepare the slot that will be vacated by Chris.

[jayvee1323]

ADMINS: please delete this thread meron na pala, sorry

The 75th season of the UAAP will unfurl on July 14 at the soon-to-be-opened SM Mall of Asia Arena, where majority of the men’s basketball games will be held.

UAAP president Nilo Ocampo of host National University said that the school is looking forward to the season, which coincides with the diamond year of the collegiate league.

Adding to the prestige of the opener is the holding of the event at the much-awaited, brand-new MOA Arena. Ocampo said that the MOA Arena is almost complete and will definitely be ready in time for the opening rites.

“We, sort of, have a new home in the ultra-modern MOA Arena. Almost all of the basketball games are scheduled to be held in the venue,” said Ocampo in Friday’s SCOOP Forum.

Eighteen of the 28 playing dates of the men’s basketball competition will be played at MOA Arena. The SMART-Araneta Coliseum will continue to host several games while PhilSports Arena is also being eyed as a possible venue for a few matches.

To celebrate the diamond year of the league, NU is planning to honor the founders of the UAAP including their very own Leticia “Mommy” Paguia, one of the instrumental figures of the school. Paguia was once an official of the country’s baseball and softball federation.

Ocampo said that they are still in the process of finalizing the theme of the season but he added that it will definitely be related to diamond in reference to the 75th year of the league.

“It is something about diamond and it being unbreakable,” Ocampo hinted.

Ocampo also said that NU will also be putting more emphasis on the other sports events in the calendar. Fourteen sports are being contested in the league—athletics, archery, basketball, swimming, taekwondo, chess, table tennis, judo, football, archery, badminton, lawn tennis, baseball and softball.

“This is one way of bringing back to the league supporters the benefits the UAAP now enjoys,” Ocampo said. “Without the fans, the UAAP wouldn’t have reached the popularity it now has.”

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv...sketball-games

[marimekko]

It seems na strong contender and NU.... champion sila sa filoil... WELL ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!

[choker001]

ADMU
NU
LA SALLE
FEU/UST/ADU

[kenilworth12]

ADMU
NU
LA SALLE
FEU/UST/ADU

I disagree.

If NU can continue its winning ways from FilOil into the UAAP, NU will have no problem putting up a 14-0 season.

NU
DLSU
ADMU
FEU/UST/ADU (Wide open ito)
UE
UP - wala na pag-asa...

[kenilworth12]

Correction:
If NU can continue its winning ways from FilOil into the UAAP, NU will have no problem putting up a 14-0 season. I hope they can keep the undefeated record in the stepladder format and become the first team in at least 10 years to finish undefeated in the UAAP tournament.

NU
DLSU (Jeron Teng will be the unanimous UAAP MBB ROY in S75)
ADMU (Ateneo downfall nga, as demonstrated sa FilOil)
FEU/UST/ADU (Wide open ito, depende ito sa performances ng players at ang mga pilay sa mga players)
UE
UP - wala nang pag-asa... bagsak na talaga ang Marooned sa MBB. (Taga-UP ako pero fair-weather fan ako, nagchicheer sa ibang team tulad ng DLSU at NU...)