UAAP Season 76 Preview

The UAAP Season 76 Men’s Basketball Tournament started earlier today, June 29, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The 4 teams involved on opening day of this season’s UAAP were the UE Red Warriors who bowed down to the FEU Tamaraws, and the De La Salle Green Archers who drew the shorter against the UST Growling Tigers in a low-scoring overtime ball game.

All Eyes on the 5-Peat & Defending Champions Ateneo

It’s going to be a long and dwindling journey for the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. Claiming the 6th title in a row looks to be highly improbably from my point of view (and I’m a Blue Eagle fan, at that). Yet one never really knows. Let’s see how the Champs from Katipunan pace themselves in their opening game tomorrow, June 30, 2013 against the National University (NU) Bulldogs. It is rumored that Ateneo’s hotshot PG, Kiefer Ravena will not play tomorrow. So… It’s going to be exciting to see how much the Blue Eagles rely on their new “King Eagle”.

Since Ateneo isn’t really “considered” or, let’s say, “expected” to make the 6th title in a row this year, a lot of other UAAP teams are looking forward to snatch the title away from them. The two biggest contenders in my eyes will always be the FEU Tamaraws and the UST Growling Tigers (both who have started with a Win today. Jeron Teng of the Green Archers may be “good”, but he will never best his older brother Jeric on the court – add to that the experience of Coach Pido.

What to expect from the UAAP Season 76

I foresee this to be a quite competitive and tight tournament. Ateneo IS going to drop a few games  along the way, the interesting part though, will be… to whom. I hope to see a more even playing field, with Ateneo not even getting close to a sweep in the two elimination rounds. (but boy, I might be wrong… which is even better!)

The Teams to advance to the final four in my book would be the: AdDMU Blue Eagles, FEU Tamaraws, UST Growling Tigers, AdU Soaring Falcons.

The team to take the crown? Well, that’s a bit too early to tell. 🙂

Let’s enjoy the games of this years’ UAAP Season 76 Men’s Basketball!