It is July 2012 already. Which means that the UAAP Season 75 Mens Basketball Tournament is just a couple of weeks ahead of us now, slated to start on July 14, 2012.

The biggest question at hand is, can Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles go on and take the fifth straight championship in the UAAP Mens Basketball?

With the loss of some key players, including the league’s undisputed best defender in recent years, Kirk Long, it’s quite a tough call whether the Blue Eagles manage to for its fifth straight.

The addition – since last year – of Kiefer Ravena however, seem to even balance things out again, from an offensive point of view at least.

This is the season in which not only Kiefer Ravena has to shine, but yet again everybody else on the team. It takes a whole team to play solid defense which will only benefit their offensive play afterwards. No question to be asked, the present lineup of the Blue Eagles can easily pounce on any team offensively.

One player that I’d like to step up right from the start of UAAP Season 75 is Juami Tiongson. I haven’t seen much from him last season and the season before. With Kirk Long out of question now, I can see him fill into Kirk’s shoes quite easily and get more playing time that way.

My Final Four Guess:

  • Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles
  • De La Salle University Green Arches
  • National University Bulldogs (thanks to their solid preseason performance, I’m giving them the benefit of a doubt)
  • Far Eastern University Tamarraws

Who’s your bet to win the UAAP Season 75 Mens Basketball?