With some of the stalwarts of previous seasons no longer around, the spotlight will fall on a trio of big men when the basketball tournament of NCAA Season 89 rolls off tomorrow at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ola Adeogun of San Beda, Raymund Almazan of Letran and Noube Happi of Emilio Aguinaldo College have been tipped as players who will shine this season following the departure of the likes of Calvin Abueva, Kevin Alas and Ian Sangalang.
Adeogun, the Lions’ 6-foot-7 Nigerian center, averaged close to a double-double last season with 10 points and close to nine boards in helping the Lions clinch a third straight title last season.
“When you talk about San Beda, it’s still going to be Ola (Adeogun) who will still cause problems for other teams,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.
Toughened by a stint in the PBA D-League, the 6-foot-7 Almazan will be thrust into the limelight as the Knights try to make up for the loss of Alas.
Noube’s string of huge performances went largely unnoticed as the Generals bowed out of contention early last season. Next to Abueva, who led the league in points, rebounds and assists last season, the 6-foot-5 Cameroonian actually tallied the biggest numbers with 16 points and 12 boards.