UAAP SEASON 72: PROUD TAMARAW

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY TAMARAWS
2008 record: 10-4 (tied for second place, lost in the Final Four)
Head coach: Glenn Capacio (third season)

Key additions: Casey Caluag, Jaymo Eguilos, Chris Exciminiano, Ryan Roose Garcia, Jolas Guerrero, Christian Manalo, Pipo Noundou, Marty Pearce, McJan Vinluan

Key losses: Marlon Adolfo, Jon Alisbo, Mac Baracael, Ron Cabagnot, Benedict Fernandez, Robert Kave, Gian Macazo, Mark Romero

Holdovers: Andy Mark Barroca, JR Cawaling, Reil Cervantes, Jens Knuttel, Aldrech Ramos, Paul Sanga, Edgar Tanuan

Background: 2008 was a tumultuous year for FEU, both on and off the court. Inconsistency plagued the Tamaraws all year, as signified by a win against Ateneo (which was its only loss in Season 71) and a defeat at the hands of the then-winless National University. Off the floor, star forward Baracael was shot by a still unidentified assailant near the FEU Gym, an incident that opened the eyes of the hoops community to the darker side of basketball. After being touted as favorites to take home the title, FEU was beaten by De La Salle in its semifinal tilt.

Key changes: While Baracael didn’t see a whole lot of playing time due to that horrific episode, he, along with Barroca, was still the Tamaraws’ heart and soul. Fernandez, meanwhile, was big game at times, and that could prove to be quite a loss, too. However, FEU’s additions make the squad an even far more talented unit than last year. Garcia is ROY-quality, while Noundou is a versatile forward who can score, rebound and defend. Eguilos will be the Tamaraws’ next star center, and Caluag is an athletic combo guard. Despite the lost talent, the Tams are retooled and reloaded.

Outlook: FEU 2K9 will be Barroca’s team. That is, if you stop after reading his name on the alphabetically arranged roster. What makes the boys from Morayta the best team on paper is, aside from the aforementioned additions, the rise of Barroca’s other teammates. Cawaling and Ramos have gotten better thanks to Rajko Toroman and the RP Developmental Team, while Cervantes has a more polished inside game to complement his physicality. This “Fantastic Four” is “Four-midable” in itself. What sets the Tams apart from the rest of the league even further is their depth. Garcia’s skill at the one can free up Barroca off the ball, while Sanga can draw other fours away from the basket with his shooting ability. Noundou, a better Tanuan, Caluag, Eguilos, Exciminiano and Knuttel round out a scary 12-man rotation.

Prognosis: Anything less than a finals appearance for Capacio’s troops would be disastrous. It’s not often that you end up having a team as locked and talented as this. An Ateneo-FEU finals showdown isn’t far-fetched at all. While DLSU may have something to say about that, FEU should at least exact revenge over its conquerors from last season and square itself for a title run.