The 2009 STI College Olympians

The new look Olympians

The STI College Olympians are raring to go this season and are excited to get back on top. Gone are topnotch veterans Ramon Mabayo, Darryl Mendoza, Mike Cabangon and William Vasallo. These four carried the load for the Olympians last year that lost to eventual champions the San Sebastian College Cavite Baycats. The Olympians lost steam as they missed 20 free throws and eventually the title. Six holdovers lead the Olympians this year as the Global City based squad rebuild for the future.

Martin Antonio will presence the Olympians need inside

Back to spearhead this year's campaign is BSIT Junior Macky Macabasco who was a revelation last year considering he just saw limited minutes in the 2007 season. Also helping out is 2nd Year MIT candidate Martin Antonio who is playing his only season with the Olympians. Antonio opted to sit it out last season and is raring to go this year. Homegrown talent Maclean Sabellina who is a product of the STI College Cagayan de Oro basketball team is the next big star of the Olympians. The six foot four forward has improved by leaps and bounds during the off season and will anchor the STI defense and offense.

Cedric Ablaza is one of the future stars of the team

Two significant additions to the team are Paulo Villadoz and Cedric Ablaza who trace their roots from STI College Balagtas. These two 6-3 finds who played in the 9th Inter-STI Basketball competitions are raw power forwards with lots of potentials and will give good contributions to the cause of the Olympians. Raffy Waminal and Tom Washington complete the cast of combo forward-centers who will provide muscle and defense against the other NAASCU teams. The small forward position is a delight for a lot of basketball fans. The three position will be manned by veteran Bryan Daguplo while new finds Jerald Bautista, Jong Cariño and JC Po will surely make significant contributions.

Look for rookie Jerald Bautista to make a splash

Since Head Coach Vic Ycasiano employs a heart stopping full court pressure, this year's guards are all quick and hopefully fresh come game time. Returnee Jen Reyes whose brother Jai plays for the Ateneo Blue Eagles is a speedy guard who is pesky on defense and has valuable experience from his previous stints from other schools. Mark Orias and Marine Marata are speedy guards who can penetrate and finish the fastbreak when the need arises. These two can be counted upon if the Olympians need a new look in their orchestration of plays and offense. Fresh from High school are two guards who will give significatnt contributions to the team rightaway. Lester Bocablo who hails from Iloilo and Robin Cruz who is from Caloocan is fresh from High school and will hopefully give a lot of opponents headaches. Anchoring the off guard position is second year guard Norman Ihalas who is a deadshot from the three point area and can also slash to the basket when needed.

Norman Ihalas will hopefully sink numerous three pointers for the team

The 2009 edition of the STI College Olympians will fight tooth and nail till the final buzzer. Its not as talented as the previous teams but their youth is their biggest strength. The core of the team will be together for the next three years so anything more than the projected final four berth is a bonus. The 9th NAASCU will open on July 18, 2009 at the Cuneta Astrodome with the Olympians going up against the St. Clare Saints at 1pm. Be there when it happens.

THE OLYMPIANS:

GUARDS

Macky Macabasco, Norman Ihalas, Mark Orias, JC Po,

Jen Reyes, Marine Marata, Lester Bocablo, Robin Cruz

FORWARDS:

Bryan Daguplo, Jerald Bautista, Raffy Waminal,

Cedric Ablaza, Paulo Villadoz, Jong Cariño,

CENTERS: Martin Antonio, Maclean Sabellina, Tom Washington