The 9th NAASCU will open on July 18, 2009 and it will be a six corner fight that will see defending champion San Sebastian Recoletos de Cavite Baycats lead the pack. Breathing down their neck is 2007 Champion STI College, 2006 Champion AMACU Titans, Region V PRISAA Champion Lyceum of Subic, darkhorse contender St. Clare College and newcomer Informatics Icons. What???No University of Manila? Can this be true? Yes it is. This season will be a year that the Hawks will likely want to get over with and forget. Gone are old reliables Onofre Napiza and Reggie Malinao who were former rookie of the year winners. New Era, Centro Escolar University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay , University of Makati and newcomer Our Lady of Fatima are all in the rebuilding mold. Holy Angel University on the other hand will sit out this edition of the NAASCU.
With practically an intact line up and rookies that are all ready to contribute, the Baycats of Cavite are favored to repeat and become the second team to win two titles. Led by 2008 NAASCU MVP Kris Lucernas and do it all guard Jhun Gracilla, the Baycats are all raring to go and aching to get another shot at that Champions league. Standing in their way is the team they beat last year, the new look STI College Olympians. After parading a slew of rookies last year, the Olympians will now bank on these young guns to carry their team and try to bring back the title to the now Global City based quintet. Leading them is point guard Macky Macabasco who is on his last year with the team together with Martin Antonio who has completed his one year residency with the team. The Olympians will also rely on the new holdovers Maclean Sabellina, Norman Ihalas, Raffy Waminal, Bryan Daguplo and Thomas Washington.
Out to spoil their finals meeting is 2006 titlist AMACU Titans. The Titans have a solid lineup and Coach Ginno Manansala has a good system that brings out the best in every player. AMACU did not participate in any pre season tournament but its solid recruitment and sound basketball system makes them one of the favorites this year. The LSB Sharks on the other hand will still rely on the inside presence of JC Collado and the all around game of Billy Ladaban.
The St. Clare College Saints on the other hand are no pushovers. Led by the high flying Richmond Sibal and former Juniors MVP Aries Pariñas, the Saints are out to improve their fourth place finish and make it to the last dance. Coach Jimmy Mariano has given the Saints a good tap on the back by giving them a great off season. Lastly, the Informatics Icons are no pushovers also and can pull off a surprise season if not taken seriously. Coach Babs Reyes has lost his deputy Coach Pepe Sanchez but is still prepared for this season. Look for them to create a buzz come winning time.
This year's NAASCU will be held in different venues and some games will be seen on television. Definitely the excitement will never stop once the 9th Season of the NAASCU unfolds this saturday. Lets see how the action gets more and more exciting. See you in the games.
No comments:
Post a Comment