Blue Eagles view UAAP Season 72 as ‘new chapter’

The 72nd season of the UAAP will be a new chapter for defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.

"We don't dwell on the past," said Ateneo coach Norman Black during the press launch of the new season.

The champion coach said that they had a great year last season, but they are prepared to forge ahead and meet new challenges to post a new chapter in the squad's history.

"It will be a new chapter for us even if I still have the core of my champion team this year," quipped Black, referring to the likes of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Silverino Baclao Jr., Eric Salamat who played pivotal roles when the Eagles won their third title in the league at the expense of arch-rival De La Salle University.

Because most of Ateneo's players last year are still with the team, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren believes that the Blue Eagles are still the team to beat this year.

"As coach Norman said, they still have their core, so in my book, they are still the team to beat," said Pumaren.

Pumaren revealed that they have to let go of players like LA Revilla because of diabetes and James Martinez due to ACL he acquired during the FilOil tournament finals against FEU last summer.

However, except for five rookies, the bench of De La Salle is all still made up of veteran campaigners, making the Archers one of the early favorites to crowd for the final four.

Count FEU, too, among the early favorites based on their title win in the FilOil pre-season tournament.

Adamson U, University of the East, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines and National U are the other teams which will be vying to post better finishes this year.

UE will be fielding in a new coach in Lawrence Chongson, who utilized most of the Warriors as players for Cobra in the PBL.

"Hopefully, their experience in the PBL will help them in our campaign here in the UAAP," said Chongson whose team also went to the United States for their pre-season training.

UST coach Pido Jarencio again downplayed the Growling Tigers' chances this year, saying that his wards lack the heft and height against their taller opponents.

"Mahina po ang koponan namin," said Jarencio whose team almost made it to the final four and eventually finished fifth last year.

"Mahina pero dapat ding bantayan at paghandaan," the Tigers’ mentor said.

The Maroons and the Falcons finished tied for sixth place last year and are hoping to improve their placing this year.

NU is looking at a better-than-expected season as the Bulldogs try to erase their reputation as the league's doormat.

But while the teams duke it out on the court, the league’s technical officials promised not to let officiating decide matches.

"The working policy is to let the players play," Commissioner Joe Lipa said.