It may be the start of a new season, but the usual suspects still emerged as the favorites this year.
Defending champion La Salle was the unanimous choice by UAAP coaches as the team to beat.
But the Green Archers are not alone in that discussion, with the bench tacticians also put last year’s runner-up Ateneo and semifinalist Far Eastern University are in the discussion as well together with Adamson.
“Like last year, [the teams to beat are] still the top four from last year,” said National University coach Jamike Jarin.
“Of course, the top four teams last season will still be there,” added University of the East mentor Derrick Pumaren.
“The ones who were in the championship last year are still it. La Salle and Ateneo are there, FEU is still there. They’re the usual suspects. It’s always them because they have the program year in and year out and they’re always in the pipeline,” said University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol.
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Even the favorites admit that last year’s contenders are still primed for huge runs in this campaign, but also said other teams that can pull off surprises.
“NU should also be there because of coach Jamike. We also haven’t won against UP this season, so we’re in danger against coach Bo,” said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo.
“I think that UP shouldn’t be a dark horses now, but rather, they’re one of the contenders also. NU, I think, is also now the dark horse of the league,” shared Ateneo deputy Sandy Arespacochaga.
But for the other coaches, they believe that it’s a pretty even competition this year in the UAAP that no teams can be considered as a pushover.
“All teams are competitive, they all have equal chances,” said UST coach Boy Sablan.
“It’s very competitive this year, a well-balanced field. All of the teams we saw in the Filoil were strong, so you can’t say that only a handful of teams are contenders because we expect everyone to give it their all this year,” said new FEU coach Olsen Racela.