UAAP: DLSU, UST, FEU on the hunt; UE on the rebuild

The 75th season of the UAAP begins later this week. Find out which players have moved on, who have been tapped to bolster their teams' ranks, and who the mainstays of your favorite squad are, as well as their chances of lifting the trophy by the tournament's end. Part two features FEU, La Salle, UST and UE Far Eastern University Tamaraws  (S74: 9-5, runners-up) Head Coach: Bert Flores Additions: Patrick Guerrero, Arvie Bringas, Raymar Jose, Mark Belo, Anthony Hargrove, Alejandrino Inigo Subtractions:  Aldrech Ramos, JR Cawaling, Chris Exciminiano, Jens Knuttel, AA Fabian, Pipo Noundou Holdovers:  Mark Bringas, Carl Cruz, Russel Escoto, Clarence Foronda, RR Garcia, Gryann Mendoza, Roger Pogoy, Terrence Romeo, Christian Sentcheu, Chris Tolomia Make it twice in a row that FEU have been runners-up, crashing into a brick wall against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Finals. Last season's squad though, was beset with internal problems, ranging from injuries (JR Cawaling, Pipo Noundou) to immaturity (costly turnovers by Terrence Romeo), and despite all that, they still managed to impress, overcoming Adamson's twice-to-beat advantage through a high-powered offense (25.78 field goal attempts made out of 68.89 attempts) that took care of the ball (14.67 turnovers). Both of those factors can form a solid base for a competitive squad. The hope of head coach Bert Flores is that another year together will spell the difference, as holdovers and new additions, mostly from their own Team B, can strike the balance between being guard-dominated (RR Garcia and Romeo) and pounding the ball down low to an impressive front court (Arvie Bringas and Anthony Hargrove). How many touches those two get versus Garcia and Romeo might be worth tracking. The Tams used to be able to get away with their backcourt duo throwing up shots every time down the floor because Aldrech Ramos was content to do the dirty work and focus on rebounding. That might not be as ideal, given Bringas and Hargrove's post-up skills. Player to watch: The under-sized Roger Pogoy became an unexpected sparkplug off the bench late last season for FEU, but with a lack of options at the small forward position this year, Pogoy will take on that role by default. Still, he produced an impressive 5.7 points, 5.4 rebound average as a starter in the FilOil, and best of all, he doesn't need a whole lot of touches to have an impact on the game. University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (S74: 8-6, fourth place) Head Coach: Pido Jarencio Additions: Clark Bautista, Eduardo Daquioag, Janrey Garrido, Robert Haingan, Kenneth Mamaril, Aljon Mariano, Christian Villar Subtractions: Chris Camus, Eduardo Aytona, Jon Sheriff, Aljohn Ungria, Kent Lao, Ron Javier Holdovers: Karim Abdul, Carmelo Afuang, Kevin Ferrer, Jeric Fortuna, Kim Lo, Paolo Pe, Robin Tan, Jeric Teng, Louie Vigil The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers ruled the boards on-route to a Final Four spot last year. With Karim Abdul in the slot, the Tigers hauled in 48.13 boards, 18.73 of which were on the offensive end, both of which, were league-best numbers. UST also forced opponents into chucking up triples (19.8 three-point attempts at 20.54 percent) which led to more boards for Abdul to haul in. This season, UST has added even more scoring punch. They were second to the last in bench points in Season 74, but the return of Clark Bautista, Eduardo Daquioag, and surprise top-scorer during the FilOil tourney, Aljon Mariano (15.1 points on 45% shooting), should more than resolve that problem. What they lack though is someone to take over the role of primary defender that Chris Camus (7.67 rebounds, 1.13 steals, 1.53 blocks) had last season. While they can, in theory, out-score some of the lower tier teams, it's hard to see them accomplish the same feat against other potential Final Four squads, unless their team defense (53.69 percent shooting on attempts in the paint allowed) improves by several degrees. Player to watch: The plucky point guard Jeric Fortuna led the Growling Tigers in shot attempts last season (14.67 per game), as he was called upon time and time again to hit big game-changers in order to bail his team out. Come Season 75, with so many weapons at his disposal, Fortuna, who is in his last season, can show off his passing ability and locate open teammates, while still being able to make his defender pay for slacking off on him. De La Salle University Green Archers (S74: 5-9, sixth place) Head Coach: Gee Abanilla Additions: Jed Manguera, Gabby Reyes, Mark Tallo, Jeron Teng, Thomas Torres Subtractions:  Simon Atkins, Joseph Marata, Maui Villanueva, Martin Reyes, Dan Sara Holdovers:  Yutien Andrada, Luigi Dela Paz, Ponso Gotladera, Jovet Mendoza, Papot Paredes, LA Revilla, Jarelan Tampus, Norbert Torres, Arnold Van Opstal, Almond Vosotros, Joshua Webb The numbers that describe DLSU's hot first round and traumatic second from Season 74 are like night and day. From having perhaps the best offense over their first seven assignments, the Archers suddenly did an about-face, as they went 1-6 to finish the year. The collapse led to the exit of head coach Dindo Pumaren and a change in regime, with Gee Abanilla and a new group of assistants taking over. Based on the FilOil tournament, fans of the Green and White have reason to be optimistic. The Archers made it all the way to the Finals of that competition before losing to NU, and they happen to have in their fold the top rookie of the class in Jeron Teng. Combined with a solid core from last season, no matter what the 1-6 finish says, and all that's left is for coach Abanilla to forge an identity for this bunch, now that they can't be identified with the press-happy style from the Pumaren brothers. Who knows, maybe he can also do the impossible and improve the Archers' woeful free throw shooting, after they failed to crack 60 percent as a team in Season 74. Player to watch: With a healthy LA Revilla at the helm of the Green Archers, La Salle were flying up and down the court in the first round, but when health issues forced the coaching staff to reduce his playing time, the squad suffered, which contributed to their flop of a finish. If Revilla is back at 100 percent, or if the coaching staff can avoid burning him out early, perhaps by having him split time with one-time Ateneo prospect Mac Tallo, DLSU can be expected to go deep into this tourney. University of the East Red Warriors (S74: 3-11, seventh place) Head Coach: Jerry Codinera Additions: John Duncil, Pedrito Galanza, Ivan Hernandez, John Mena, Mark Olayon, Sam Razon, Ian Valdez, Roy Villarias, Gene Belleze, Dan Alberto Subtractions:  Paul Zamar, JM Noble, Biboy Enguio, Lord Casajeros, BJ Zosa, RR De Leon, Lucas Tagarda, Von Chavez, Jess Sabangan, Joseph Montelibano Holdovers:  Erwin Duran, Jairold Flores, Chris Javier, Adrian Santos, Roi Sumang, JR Sumido Last season, first year head coach Jerry Codinera found himself in an unenviable position, with stars Paul Lee and Ken Acibar opting to leave early for the PBA. He did however manage to keep point guard Roi Sumang, and recruit big man Chris Javier, but despite some valiant efforts, the team was a mess on defense (72.64 points allowed on 40.08 percent field goal shooting), though they can take some consolation in beating UP on the last day of eliminations to avoid the cellar position. This season, more than last year, it will be up to Sumang and Javier to carry their squad. Paul Zamar and Biboy Enguio have graduated, while JM Noble and Lord Casajeros, two guys expected to provide scoring, played a handful of summer league games before getting the axe. That leaves a ridiculously young core behind, with six listed as first year players. Their main consolation will be that Sumang is a certified star (14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals during the FilOil tourney), but they'll probably need another year or two worth of recruits before they can be thought of as seriously competing. Player to watch: While the spotlight will be on Javier and Sumang, third-year player Adrian Santos might be the glue that keeps the team together. During the FilOil tournament, the undersized power forward managed to lead the team in rebounds (7.6 boards) and also shot 62 percent from the field, on-route to 9.4 points. He'll likely be the team's third option, but that's an amazing third option if ever there was one. - GMA News