UAAP, NCAA and PBA pedestrian predictions
Credit to Author: Michael Angelo B. Asis| Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:15:07 +0000
Thirdy Ravena made Game 1 of the UAAP Season 82 Finals his own personal statement. There are rumors that he may forego his PBA dreams and train in the US, which most would think is a precursor for his personal NBA dreams.
Being a “glass half-empty” guy, I took note that there were taller players who tread the same path and ended up in the PBA. One of them was Kobe Paras, projected top overall pick if he declares for the draft.
If Kobe wouldn’t join the draft, Thirdy would be a good bet to be taken first, but Ravena was all business finishing with 32 points with a masterful all-around performance. This could be his way to silence the critics (the best way) and show that he can be the first overall pick even if Kobe declares. After all, only one of them is in the UAAP Finals.
I think Thirdy would still go the PBA route. His brother is already there, and he would probably want to test his mettle against local pros.
The UP starters
As of this writing, only Bright Akhuetie is the confirmed returnee for the Fighting Maroons. My faux crystal ball thinks the GDL brothers will return. Juan’s breakthrough seemingly stalled this season, as it took a meticulous eye to recognize his prowess, since it was vastly overshadowed.
There won’t be any graduating Jun Manzo or Tungcab, so Juan can take over the show, hopefully with more set plays. This will pave the way for the return of Javi. He would realize that his current style would not really translate well enough in the PBA.
Javi needs to be a much better shooter, since he is not blaringly nimble or athletic. He needs to carve out a niche in the pros, and if he can’t be taller or more athletic, shooting could be his meal ticket.
Ricci Rivero is an enigma. Many would think that he may not be as invested in UP as the other guys considering he is a transferee. It would depend on his PBA prospects. If he could get a guarantee to make the first round, he’s likely to leave.
One guy who is guaranteed to make the first round is Kobe Paras. His game is more PBA fit, teams would be wooing him for his value in the court and his marketing potential off the court. It would be too hard to resist, especially since they actually took a step back from their place last season. Kobe will likely declare for the draft, if you ask me.
Finals predictions
NCAA Season 95 is down to one game, and looking at the first two games, there is no favorite at all. 18-0 didn’t seem to matter for Letran, and they were a missed lay-up away from a monumental upset.
This is really hard to call. The Knights have Larry Muyang and Jio Ambohot, probably the best frontcourt duo in that league, but the Red Lions have more overall talent, including the league MVP Calvin Oftana.
At this point, it really seems like Letran is the hungrier team. Not discounting the Red Lions effort, but winning this series means more for the Knights than the Lions. This may be the difference maker, and San Beda may no longer be used to being this challenged.
Fearless, but not flawless, prediction is that Letran would steal this one (because at 18-0, you feel that San Beda may already own it). A do-or-die game will usually boil down to intensity and desire, and the Knights may actually have a very slight edge on that.
Grand Slam or bust
The San Miguel Beermen are aging. June Mar Fajardo was still great, but did not seem unbeatable. The Christian Standhardinger trade was supposedly the panic button being pressed, or else they could have held it off for the end of the season.
The Governors’ Cup is really tight, and SMB has import problems once again. The urgency has picked up for the Beermen, but I would still think they could will reach the Triple Crown, somehow, someway. Note that Chris Mccullough was also a late addition.