1. Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo). The young man they call “The Phenom” is expected to have another slam-bang year. Kiefer started the season with a couple of dunks during a blow out victory over Adamson. In his next game, he sets a new UAAP career high 29 points against the Green Archers, capped by four triples in the payoff period. He currently leads the league in scoring and steals with 25.5 markers and 2.5 steals per game. He not only lights up the scoreboard but also does it in style with his many electrifying moves.
4. Mike Tolomia (FEU). Is there life for the FEU Tamaraws after Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia, who both jumped to the pros immediately after the 2013 season? The answer is a resounding Yes! Tolomia is now the unquestionable new take-charge guy for the Tams. A former Baby Tamaraw, Mike is now ready to assume the post left by Romeo and Garcia and become FEU’s new scoring champion. Although he only averages 12 points after two games so far, Tolomia is clearly the guy the Tams will look for in offense as a first option. During the summer tournament, he led FEU with 18 markers per game. But Mike is not a ball hog as he often involves his teammates in the offense, the way head coach Nash Racela wants it.
5. Kevin Ferrer (UST). Now without Jeric Teng, the Growling Tigers will be relying heavily on former UAAP Juniors MVP Ferrer. Kevin has made a quantum leap in his game after stints in the PBA D-League, where he became the top gunner for the Blackwater team. Now, he is expected to assume most of the scoring chores for the Tigers especially with his more consistent three-point shooting as well as post up ability. Although he has yet to make a statement this year with a sub par average of 8.5 points, it’s just a matter of time until Ferrer comes out with guns blazing.
6. Jason Perkins (La Salle). Another go-to-guy for La Salle is Fil-Am Perkins, who is a match-up headache for any team. He is a remarkable scorer from any part of the floor. His post up game is ridiculously good. He can also penetrate and shoot from afar, including beyond the arc. What better proof than his league second best average of 25 points per game, along with 10 boards and four assists.
7. Charles Mammie (UE). The Red Warriors are on a hot start this season with two emphatic wins over UP and Adamson. And they did it without Mammie producing heavy numbers. So far, this hulking center from Sierra Leone only averages six points, six rebounds and one block per outing. But we saw what he can do last year. Mammie remains the scariest dude in the UAAP right now and is expected to dominate the paint once more.
8. Roi Sumang (UE). Spitfire Sumang will likely be just as thrilling as he was last year. After two convincing wins, he leads UE in scoring with 15 markers per game, on top of six assists and four caroms. Roi is an adept scorer with a deadly outside artillery and explosive drives to the hoop. The Red Warriors are among the top contenders this season and Sumang is the main reason why.
9. Karim Abdul (UST). For as long as Abdul is donning the colors of UST, the Tigers will remain a title contender. This bull-strong Cameroonian was a pillar of strength in last year’s finals and he is looking to help his alma mater get another title shot. Karim currently leads the league in rebounding, averaging 12 boards on top of 11.5 points per game. He has developed also a soft touch from short and medium distance.
10. Arnold Van Opstal (La Salle). AVO might be the only local player that can match up against the likes of Mammie and Abdul in the post. He is long and strong. And he is difficult to stop when he gets the ball close to the basket. His patented jump hooks are lethal weapons that make La Salle a defensive problem. And now, it seems Van Opstal can be just as effective going to his left as with his right.
11. Alfred Aroga (NU). Aroga has waited over two years to strut his stuff in the UAAP. And now that he is given clearance, he wants to take the league by storm. Alfred has the size and built of a post player but with the skills of a guard. Even with his imposing 6’7” frame, he can dribble the ball end to end and score on jumpers. He is quick, agile and very athletic. He is extremely difficult to guard. After Saturday’s shellacking of UP, Aroga has norms of 12 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 swats per game.
12. Mark Belo (FEU). Belo is one player any coach would love to have in his team. He is the ultimate workhorse, doing all the dirty laundry on the court. But Mark is also very talented. He can score with penetrations and even jump shots. His exceptional leaping ability allows him to soar for rebounds and even score on thunderous slams. He currently paces the Tams in offense with 17 markers per game while also collecting six boards and four assists per outing.
13. Gelo Alolino (NU). Unquestionably one of the finest playmakers in the league today, Gelo started Season 77 like a house on fire. Not only does he orchestrates the offense for the Bulldogs but also leads the scoring with an average of 16.5 points in two outings. He actually ranks fifth in the league right now. Alolino is best when running the fast break. He can also do a lot of damage to opponents with his three-point bombs.
14. Moustapha Arafat (UE). Arafat’s presence in UE’s line-up brings excitement to the Warriors’ fans and chills to their opponents. This prize find from Ghana comes off the bench to replace Mammie. But unlike his fellow African, Moustapha loves to play from the outside. He can score on drives and outside shots. He is also extremely athletic and hard working. Right now, he averages nine boards, six points and a league-best three blocks per game.
15. Chris Newsome (Ateneo). Newsome is Ateneo’s do-it-all guy. He can play positions one to four. He can serve as point guard as he can bring down the leather with ease. He can also post up and lead his team in rebounding. When he wants to score, he can do so without much effort. And he can hurt you with outside shots when left open. But for now, his fellow Blue Eagles are doing well and so he is contented with seven markers, five rebounds and two feeds per game.
16. Celedonio Trollano (Adamson). Don is only one of four holdovers from last year’s Falcons roster and he is the one given the task by new Adamson coach Kenneth Duremdes to lead the charge. After two forgettable losses, he has amassed 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game. Trollano is a respectable scorer with strong penetrations and decent outside sniping.
17. Arvin Tolentino (Ateneo). The most sought-after player coming out of high school last year, Arvin has lived up to the hype so far after two games. This former San Beda Red Cub was the subject of a tug-o-war last year because of his outstanding skills. For a 6’5” guy, he has excellent handles and a dreaded three-point shot. He can also rebound well. After just two games in his maiden season in college basketball, Tolentino has already posted double-double figures of 14 points and 10 rebounds per game on top of two assists.
18. Aljon Mariano (UST). 1Raring to atone for his endgame boo boos in Game 3 of the finals last year, Aljon is expected to show up this season like he did in 2012. He is still undoubtedly one of the best in the Tigers’ roster this year. Last year’s painful experience surely made him a better cager this time. After two games, Mariano is steady with norms of 7.5 boards and seven markers per game.
19. Mikee Reyes (UP). After being dropped from the roster during the tournament last year, Mikee is out to prove he deserves to be back with the Fighting Maroons this season, and he is aching to carry his team from the bottom after two winless UAAP years. Reyes is both playmaker and scorer. But his leadership will be most crucial in UP’s campaign this year. He will need to do more than just his current numbers of eight points, four boards, two assists and two steals per outing.
20. Pedrito Galanza (UE). Talk about a player stepping up big time, Galanza has surprisingly gotten the biggest share in the scoring pie for UE early this season with 16 points per game. His best weapon is his three-point sniping, which has been well calibrated so far.
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