Key losses: Jaycee Marcelino, Jayvee Marcelino, Reymar Caduyac
Key holdovers: Jerwyn Guinto, Renzo Navarro, Yancy Remulla, Enoch Valdez
Season 95 record: 13-5, finished eliminations in 2nd place, lost to Letran in stepladder playoff
After another stellar showing during the NCAA Season 95, it would not be surprising to see the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) aim to be at the top in the upcoming Season 97.
The Pirates wrapped up the 2019 elimination round with a 13-5 card for a second seed finish before meeting the eventual champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the second round of the stepladder playoff.
They lost, 92-88, but that only fueled them to strive for more this year.
Minus standouts in brothers Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino and Reymar Caduyac, LPU will be led by holdovers Jerwyn Guinto, Renzo Navarro, Yancy Remulla, and Enoch Valdez.
But many eyes will also be on young Mclaude Guadaña, a former Lyceum high school standout who had a stint with the national team after having suited up in the 2018 FIBA U16 Championship, and former NCAA Juniors MVP John Barba.
Vincent Cunanan and Kenneth Gaviola, both were reserve players in Season 95, are also tipped to make their debuts this season.
They will be joined by other newcomers in Carlo Abadeza, John Matthew Bravo, Juan Raphael Garro, Eric James Jabel, Omar Larupay, Junmark Silvarez, and Shawn Umali.
Leading the squad is Gilbert Malabanan, who took over the coaching reins from Jeff Perlas after the latter stepped down in December 2021.
The NCAA Season 97 live games air every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday at 12:00 NN on GTV with replays every Monday and Thursday at 3:00 PM on GTV.
—JMB, GMA News
