Humblebola

‘Sup Tobs,

Took a while— Day job things, minor career switch-ups, and everything else in between.

But yes, we definitely had a fun week of basketball, and I think Gilas Pilipinas deserves its flowers.

We’ve been friends for quite a while now, and I’m pretty sure you know how… apprehensive (for lack of a better term) I can be with the national team. This window, though, I’m proud to say that they proved me wrong.

When Justin Brownlee was ruled out, my immediate and unfiltered reaction was, “Well, what’s new? We’re about to go 0-2.” Then we didn’t. Full credit goes to Kai Sotto for stepping up right when the nation needed him to, plus some timely contributions from guys like AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and even June Mar Fajardo upfront to cover for JB’s loss.

(Sidebar: Glad to have our boy Karlo back in some capacity. Fitting that he wrote the OLR for JMF.)

My concern now with Gilas Pilipinas is: who should we tap for the November window against Syria and Iran?

Syria, I don’t think we should have a problem with, IF (major if) we retain the core that just played.

I’m more concerned with Iran. They’ve kicked our ass six times in the last eight meetings, dating back to 2007. Sure, we beat them in the most recent showdown, but I’d like to think that they’d be out for blood when the rematch comes on November 30.

Will we have Kai Sotto again then? Is Brownlee still going to be our naturalized player? Will we see some new faces suit up? Are we going to have to rely on Quiambao’s heroics once more?

Those are but a handful of the questions that will stay in my mind for the next few weeks, and I just wish we’ll have some positive answers.

In terms of college basketball, the final preseason tournament before UAAP Season 89 has just concluded. If you missed it, the UST Growling Tigers took home the trophy in Pinoyliga Cup’s “The Big Dance” tournament.

Preseason can be a double-edged sword for most fans, but I think it’s a credible gauge for expectations on how they should/will perform once the season rolls around.

As early as now, I think the UST Growling Tigers should be among the favorites to win. Second season Collins Akowe is already my pick to win FSA of the year, and I don’t think it’ll be close. This team is supremely deep, and I think their worries at point guard following last season are/were overblown. (Planning to make a piece expounding on this.)

This isn’t me counting on the defending champions DLSU Green Archers or the new-look and last year’s runner-ups UP Fighting Maroons. This is me saying that the race to the MBT title this year looks wide open.

Aside from UST, the rest of the UAAP has the FEU Tamaraws to worry about too. Coach Sean Chambers has that team on lock, and I like what they’re building over there. Janrey Pasaol should be in line to build on his surprising (to everyone else, not me) MVP campaign. Kirby Mongcopa, I expect to go head-to-head with former teammate Veejay Pre for best wing in the UAAP. Mo Konateh will do Mo Konateh things and lock down the paint. Last but definitely not least, I see final-season Jorick Bautista going on a scoring tirade just because he can.

They will also have the task of welcoming UAAP U19 MVP Cabs Cabonilas to the big leagues. He’ll have a featured role here and there, but if we’re talking about new faces who will have a starring role, look no further than Kieffer Alas.

Keeping it strictly basketball, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are fired up, though many are overlooking their Final Four odds for Season 89. New head coach, new faces — sure, I get it, and those are fair takes.

However, this batch is playing with an energy that I haven’t seen in quite a while. Like what I told a couple of close friends of mine following their PinoyLiga Cup exit: this Ateneo squad is the most dangerous 8-6, 7-7, fighting-for-a-Final-Four-spot team we will see in a while.

Season 89 opens on Saturday, September 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena, and I will most likely be there (barring any unforeseen circumstances). It’s my eighth season of covering the UAAP (missed out in 2023, as you will likely remember lol), and I have a feeling that this will be a big one for all of us.

Inactivity hurt us badly in Season 88.

Let’s get back to kicking ass in Season 89.

Humblebola, baybay.


Always and forever ya boi,
Karl Batungbacal