WELL, it’s that time of the year again.

The  country’s oldest collegiate league, the  NCAA (National  Collegiate Athletic Association) is  set  to make its  87th  appearance on   the   local sporting world and  even now  avid sports fans can’t seem to  wait  before the opening   tipoff  on  Saturday.

And  now that the opening  games are  about  to  unfold at the Araneta  Coliseum, allow me to take a  quick   glance at  this year’s contending teams and   their predicted  order of finish.

San Beda Red Lions -- Last year’s  runaway winner seems  poised  for a  clear  repeat until  Sudan  Daniels, the   MVP of the previous season, went down with an ACL  injury during a pre-season tournament.  And  suddenly, there  are  guarded  optimism  being  talked  about by coaches of the  rival teams.

Garvo  Lanete, Rome de la  Rosa and  Jake Pascual,  who engineered  San  Beda’s  historic 18-game  sweep  last  year, will be hard-pressed to  repeat  with  a  line-up   orphaned  by Daniel.

Last  year’s finish: 1.  Predicted finish this year: 2


San Sebastian Stags -- Renato Agustin, who steered the Stags to the title in 2009, may have  left  for  greener   pastures, so to speak, but  the Recto-based  team is  getting  ready  for another title campaign with  an equally-talented  coaching staff, led by consultant  Turo Valenzona, and  new coach Topex Robinson.  A  team with a long winning  tradition, a veteran  coaching staff  and  a  star-studded line-up  that  include   Calvin  Abueva  and  Ronald  Pascual  will always be a source of concern for opposing teams. Just  ask  San  Beda   coach Frankie Lim.

Last year’s finish: 2, Predicted finish this year: 1

Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers --  Under  second-year coach Vergel “Aerial  Voyager: Meneses, the  Mandaluyong-based Heavy Bombers  are looking good for another  crack at the   elusive   title. A brief  but  meaningful  visit in Seoul, where  they  played tune-up games against  top Korean universities,  could also  spur the Heavy Bombers to  strive  harder in the coming season.  Minus Marvin hayes and  their  two Cameroonian  players.   the  take-charge-guy  will  now  be  Raycon Kabigting.

Last  year’s finish: 3.  Predicted finish  this year 4.

Mapua Cardinals --  With the entry of  next-door neighbor Lyceum,  the   Cardinals  will now have extra motivation  to play well and  make an impact in the so-called   ‘Battle  of   Intramuros’.     With   coach Chito Victolero at the helm, the  Jason Pascual-led   Cardinals will surely  strive to make it to the  elite Final Four anew  and  finish ahead  of their  Intramuros  neighbors, Lyceum and Letran.

To make  things mor  einteresting, the Cardinals will bring with  them  a  wealth  of  experience gained from  their   runner-up finish to National Universiyt in the  Fr. Martin Cup.

Last  year’s finish 4.   Predicted  finish  this year - 3.

Letran Knights -- Coach Louie Alas  and  the  Intramuros-based Knights are looking for payback  this year.

With  Kevin Alas and Jam Cortez leading the  way, the  Knights  hope to turn around a disappointing season last year and bring the smile back to  Muralla.

Last year’s finish:  5.  Predicted  finish this  year: 5.

Lyceum of the Philippines University  Pirates  -- This   year’s newest  team  could also be the biggest  surprise   this season.

And  why not? 

The  Pirates of   coach  Bonnie Tan  have armed    themselves  with  enough  experience   playing as  a  solid  unit  and  honed  to near-perfection  by  participation in such strong    tournaments as  the  Champion’s   League and  Fil-Oil V League and  established  commercial  league  like  the  MBL.

Cris Cayabyab and Rich Guevarra will  be   Pirates’   main  weapons in  an ambitious  bid to prove to all  and sundry  that they really  belong  to the  major    leagues. 

Last  year’s finish: NA. Predicted finish  this year:  6.        Arellano  University  Flaming Arrows -- Coach  Leo  Isaac made  a  lot of   heads turn  with  his  team’s   impressive  showing  last year, and  the former Barangay  Ginebra   mainstay vowed to  impress even  more. 

This year, Isaac will pin his hopes  anew  on  veterans  Adrian  Celada  and Gerald    Lapus as  they try to improve their sixth-place finish last season.

Last  year’s finish: 6. This year’s predicted finish: 7.

College  of  St. Benilde Blazers --   Last year’s Rookie of the Yearawardee  Carlo  Lastimosa will be one year better this season and     Blazers coach Ricahrd del  Rosario    hope   to ride  another  monstrous   performance  by  this Cebu-born gunner to  keep  pace with the league’s heavyweights.

Last  year’s finish: 7. This year’s predcited finish:  9.

Emilio Aguinaldo College  Generals --  Veteran   coach  Nomar Isla, who is widely credited  for   putting  together  highly-competitive  teams  despite  limted  resources, is  gone.

His successor,  former PBA player-councilor  Gerry Esplana, will now  have   a  big  shoe  to fill in  as  the  Generals  begin  life on the playing court  without   their  long-time  mentor.

Russel  Yaya, a  rermnant of Isla’s  past EAC teams,  will try to keep the fire  alive.

Last year’s finish:  8.  Predicted finish this year:  8.

University   of Perpertual  Help Altas  -- As t his   year’s host, the  Altas  will  surely  try to   make an impression   and   improve their  last-place  finish last year.

But  newly-appointed coach Jimwell Gican  will hav eto work with a  line-up   reeling from   the loss of   the  controversial  Marlon Gomez.

Last year’s finish:  9; Predicted finish this year: 10.

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NOTES -- Belated happy wedding anniversary to my brother,   Joseph Andaya, and his lovely  wife   Annette,  of Orange County, CA.  who quietly marked  their 19 th year last June 29. . The  union, solemnized  at the Sta.  Rosa Church in Sta. Rosa, Laguna,  was blessed  with  two talented children, Mary   Louise and Allen Joshua…

Birthday greetings to  my pamangkin   Ralph  Angelo A. Ypil, who  is  turning  14  today (June 30).

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