Key holdovers: Greg Cunanan, JM Bravo, John Barba, Mclaude Guadaña
Key losses: Enoch Valdez, Shawn Umali, Oman Omandac
Addition: Desmond Colian
Season 99 record: 13-5 (4th)
The crown was almost within Lyceum of the Philippines University's reach in NCAA Season 99 when the Pirates booked a twice-to-beat berth in the semifinals opposite San Beda University.
But that advantage evaporated into thin air as they fell to the Red Lions twice, ending what could have been their closest shot at the title in the last few years.
To make things worse, the Pirates also bowed to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the battle for third, ending up in fourth place after finishing as the second seed at the end of the elimination round.
It's a season to forget for the Pirates, but the rejuvenated LPU likes to see it the other way around, using it as a fuel to bounce back big in their revenge run in Season 100.
"Masakit ‘yung [nangyari sa amin last year] kaya kailangan naming bumawi ngayon lalo na kami pa ‘yung host. Gagalingan namin ngayon Season 100," team captain and graduating guard Greg Cunanan told GMA News Online.
"Syempre, kumbaga history ito na umabot ‘yung NCAA sa Season 100, na kami ang magho-host. Gusto naming gumawa ng history na makuha ‘yung championship ngayong Season 100."
LPU being the centennial season host makes the Pirates' looming campaign even more momentous. And they are targeting no less than the championship.
"Mission namin ay para sa akin makapunta ulit ng Final Four and sana mapag-champion namin ang LPU," the 24-year-old Cunanan added.
LPU's campaign, though, will be very challenging after the graduation of athletic do-it-all guard Enoch Valdez and the sudden exit of two big men in Shawn Umali and Oman Omandac, who transferred to Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College, respectively.
But Cunanan remains optimistic that what's left of their roster can get the job done.
LPU will return with a core led by JM Bravo, who was the third top scorer for the wards of head coach Gilbert Malabanan behind Valdez and Umali last season. The 24-year-old Bravo posted 10.11 points, 5.78 rebounds, 0.94 assists, and 0.72 steals to emerge as a reliable offensive weapon for the Pirates.
Mclaude Guadaña, who averaged 9.41 markers and 2.53 boards last year, is also returning for his fourth year alongside steady forces John Barba and Gyle Montaño as they look to make the school's hosting a memorable one.
"Okay naman 'yung team namin, laban pa rin. Nandiyan pa naman sila Barba, Guadaña, Montano, Bravo so parang buo pa rin ‘yung core namin," Cunanan said.
LPU will also parade Filipino-American talent in Desmond Colian, a 6-foot-5 forward who previously saw action for Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas before deciding to play collegiate basketball here.
Genesis Aviles, Simon Peñafiel, John Verzosa, and Renz Villegas are the other holdovers while Khen Caduyac, Julian Culanay, Jonathan Daileg, Omar Gordon, Neil Moralejo, Lyon Pallingayan, John Panelo, and Dave Paulo complete LPU's centennial roster.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
