By Nikole Javier
As expected, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons – last season’s finalists – are fancied as the teams to beat for the coming UAAP Season 85 which starts on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasig City.
The coaches of the other six teams are convinced the Katipunan-based schools are still armed with potent weapons but vowed to give them a very good fight in the hope of dethroning the Maroons.
FEU head coach Olsen Racela and NU’s Jeff Napa agreed that both the Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons will carry their championship momentum to the upcoming season.
While he has great deal of respect for Ateneo and UP, Adamson head coach Nash Racela said La Salle is also high in his radar along with National University.
On his part, La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren is not taking any team lightly, saying that the teams to beat will be “all of the above”.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde and Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin refused to be swayed by their rivals’ prognosis.
“I guess naman, winning a championship last season doesn’t mean na ngayong season, sigurado na ‘yon. I think every team, every coach would really prepare and face ‘yong magiging challenge for this Season 85,” said Monteverde.
Baldwin, on the other end, was not about to put any pressure on his team to be back at the top of the league once the season begins after losing to the Fighting Maroons.
“We don’t really plan in those terms. I’ve said this before, years passed, we seek to take games one at a time. And try to build the season from day one until if you’re there at the end. Try and make that last shot. I think that’s how you build a championship,” Baldwin said.
Lastly, UST deputy Rodney Santos didn’t look very far and was confident that the Growling Tigers are a team to beat.
