2020-21 College Hoops Blue Chippers

2020-21 College Hoops Blue Chippers

by Rick Olivares

I was invited last Saturday evening on Benny Benitez’ show Bull by the Horn where we discussed college ball and in particular, my choices for the top incoming players for the next NCAA and UAAP seasons. When it happens just to be precise because we all know this raging pandemic that has placed everything up in the air.

Here are the 10 players I mentioned.

Dwight Ramos (Ateneo Blue Eagles).

If this 6’5” California native fill in the shoes of Thirdy Ravena in the three-spot (although I know they are trying to move him in another position); if he can assert himself and take some big time shots, he will give Tab Baldwin’s side a much needed closer to with Angelo Kouame and SJ Belangel. 

Mac Guadana (Lyceum Pirates)

That the LPU Pirates were able to keep Guadana and JP Barba is huge for their program. Not many of their high school stars move up to their senior squad. This shows continuity more so after their former center Erlan Umpad went to EAC. Guadana is in the mold of a CJ Perez where he can do everything from offense and defense, facilitating, taking the big shot, and making great reads on the court. You also have to like his being emotionless about the game. He just plays the game.

Kevin Quiambao (La Salle Green Archers)

A massive pick up for this squad that is hungry and seeking a return to glory. Quiambao gives La Salle size and with a terrific game inside the paint. He can score inside, stick the short range shot, play defense, and pass that rock. He played alongside Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano with NU, but if you paid attention, it was him bringing home the individual trophies and accolades.

Add to that list Benjamin and Michael Phillips, that is one huge frontline that La Salle has.

Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano & RC Calimag (UP Fighting Maroons)

Talk about an aggressive build up. Their addition to Bo Perasol’s arsenal means they will not only have a deep and talented team this coming season, but will ensure their competitiveness for the next several seasons. 

Carl will split time at the four and five and open up the lane for their centers as he can hit the outside shot. Abadiano and Calimag are also big shot players. The former gives UP a rock solid starter of a point guard while the latter gives UP a player who can drive to the hoop or stick that outside shot.

RJ Abarrientos (FEU Tamaraws)

His addition will greatly ease the pressure on LJ Gonzales. RJ can bring up the ball, shoot, penetrate, and more importantly, create. More than that, his ascendance continues the great program they have had in place for a while now with their high school stars moving up to the senior ranks. 

Off hand, they will have LJ, Royce Alforque, Brandrey Bienes, Xyrus Torres, Daniel Celzo, and now RJ.

Clint Escamis (UE Red Warriors)

Another of those do-it-all players in the mold of Guadana and Abarrientos. And this guy is tough. Try to knock him down he will hit right back while not changing his facial expression.

A blue chip recruit for UE. 

Justine Sanchez (San Bed Red Lions)

In the last 10 years, San Beda has paraded that sleek fighter jet of a swingman in Rome dela Rosa, Garvo Lanete, Jayvee Mocon, and Clint Doliguez. Justine Sanchez will inherit that. It will be on him to learn the ropes as quick as he can. But when he does, he will be a multi-faceted player just like those who paved the way. And you have to like that San Beda was able to bring up a lot of their Red Cubs in Sanchez, Yukien Andrada, and Rhayyan Amsali.

I’d say the biggest winners in this recruiting wars heading into next season are UP, La Salle, and Lyceum (by virtue of being able to keep two key players) while the biggest loser is National University. We can elaborate that for another time.

OPINION: What is up with the NU Bulldogs?

OPINION: What is up with the NU Bulldogs?

By Rick Olivares

One of the biggest stories in local sports in the last couple of days has been the high profile transfers of National University Bullpup stars Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and Kevin Quiambao to other schools for their college careers.

Tamayo and Abadiano are going to the University of the Philippines and Quiambao is earmarked for De La Salle University.

Their move escalates the arms race to topple Ateneo de Manila University from their lofty perch while de-powers NU.

We tried asking some people involved and there have been no responses. So this is how we see it.

The players not going to NU for college means that something is amiss in the Sampaloc-based school. Obviously, these three players have been closely identified with their long-time coach Goldwyn Monteverde.  

Monteverde has tried to shield his team by being highly selective of what tournaments they participate in so as to avoid entreaties by other schools. Whether right or wrong is altogether another matter.

By their departure does that mean his hold on the college job is in doubt?

Possibly. 

I am told that he is now preparing for a three-peat in the juniors division. No mention was made of the seniors. Whether unintentional or not, let me offer my thoughts.

I guess, he probably regrets not taking the job offer from the University of the East. And he has been so snake bit in the last few years first with the dissolution of the Tiong Lian league after other schools balked big time at the recruitment policies of Chiang Kai Shek College and Hope Christian High School. Now, that is debatable because there are no rules. And in the absence of rules... you know what that means. 

Then there was the boom levied at him while Monteverde was with the Adamson Baby Falcons. What was a sure Juniors crown was snatched away over so-called irregularities. To this day I think that Monteverde and Adamson were jobbed big time.

And there was the time when he was supposed to be Youth National Coach but had it taken away. Now there’s this “situation” with NU. What is it with the universe that seems to conspire with this man?

Let me just be clear about how I look at what Monteverde has achieved. I think he is a heckuva coach. Recruiting? That is part of his job; any coach’s job. And when I watched him, whether he has all-stars or not, I more often than not cannot fault his decisions. I think he is a damn good coach. 

On the other hand, what does this say about NU’s hoops program?

The three were supposed to be cornerstones in NU’s grand plan of nailing another UAAP title as they reload from the failure of the past several years. It would have even blunted Dave Ildefonso’s decamping back to Ateneo. And now… well. They face a huge setback. That is an understatement.

They aren’t short on stars so why have they underachieved in college hoops?

Let’s make no bones about this -- NU has moneyed programs in high school and other collegiate squads. And most schools do not have that. They have spent huge sums to make their teams competitive and champions. Men’s college basketball, unfortunately for them, is another animal. This is the playground of the big boys. Tycoons even.

If you look at that title in Season 77, that was won with a supposedly weaker team. But the emphasis must be placed on “team.” In a team lacking in real stars, they shone bright. It might have been one in a million. But the team concept must not be overlooked.

Looking laterally, it is easy to say that Ateneo has stars or the money. Do they? Years ago, they had cast-offs and underachievers. Unheralded players who have all achieved the incredible. Furthermore, they did it as a team. 

So, is all lost for NU at this point? They have to really re-think a lot of what they do over there. Take stock of how they run things and the people they have appointed. 

That title win in Season 77? That almost did not happen as then head coach Eric Altamirano tendered his resignation the season before. The stay of a hand of one person despite the pleas of others for change was in hindsight a stroke of genius. However, when the weight of expectations was levied on the team, they crashed and burned.

And look at the composition of their coaching staffs in recent years. Are they seamless? If you don’t understand this then I think you have to observe teams even more. 

Years ago, NU tried to fix its culture by improving its educational and sports program not to mention their facilities and infrastructure. It has worked by leaps and bounds. Whatever one says about the money they splashed – again, there are no rules against it – it has worked. They splashed money to help seed a homegrown program. And if it has also helped their regular student population then it is all good. It cannot all be the Ateneos, De La Salles, and UPs of this country. 

I asked one person related to one of their sports teams and he opined this perhaps isn’t over. There is hope that a last-minute resolution will be found and they will all be back on track. 

Now, if that happens… that’s another big story. 

As for Goldwyn Monteverde? 

You can’t keep a good coach down. He’ll find his place in the sun whether at NU or somewhere else. 

And that’s a big story as well.