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Players No Longer Eligible: Ford Arao, Zion Laterre Players Graduating But With At Least 1 Year of Eligibility: Chris Tiu, Yuri Escueta, Ken Barracoso, Jobe Nkemakolam Even if Chris Tiu has a fifth year left, I highly doubt he will play next year. Ateneo even had to convince him to suit up this season. While many people might think I'm crazy, it is better for the team if he doesn't come back. That way, his minutes will be distributed to Jai, Eric and the other guards which would give them the chance to develop their skills. Aside from that, Ryan Buenafe, the NCAA Juniors MVP will be most likely coming in to replace him next year. I think also that Ken and Jobe will be back next year. I think both of them want to prove themselves and next year will be their last chance. I can't say anything for Yuri though but I think we shouldn't consider him yet until he decides if he will play an additional year. Remaining Players: Rabah Al-Hussaini Nonoy Baclao Bacon Austria Mike Baldos Eman Monfort Kirk Long Jai Reyes Eric Salamat Chris Sumalinog With this in mind, our most likely starting five would go like this: C - Rabah PF - Nonoy SF - Kirk SG - Eric PG - Jai Norman Black would always focus on a senior big man to step up each year. Last year, it was Doug Kramer. This year, it was Ford Arao. Next year, it would probably be Rabah and it looks like there's a lot of work to be done. However, after seeing Ford perform this year, I wouldn't be surprised if someone unexpected comes out big next year. I also feel that Eric will become our leading scorer next year. Given that he averages 8.1 pts./game, he will be really big in the coming years. Nonoy should also work on acquiring more skills and maybe even bulk up a little. If only he could box out and screen better, he will be the ultimate defensive stopper of the league. Possible Rookies for Next Year: Ryan Buenafe from San Sebastian Justin Chua from Chiang Kai Shek Nico Salva from San Beda Clark Bautista from Benedictine International College For those who don't know, Ryan is NCAA Juniors MVP, averaging a triple-double every game. That by itself means a lot. MVP has already been luring the kid to suit up with us next year and he has already been spotted watching live games in Araneta on our side. Another interesting news update a while ago was that he has hinted during the send-off mass that he will play next year. Justin Chua is the reigning MVP of the Tionglian League, the basketball tournament of Chinese high schools. He plays center and is said to be a lighter version of Jervy Cruz. Predictions for Next Year: 1. DLSU 2. UE 3. ADMU 4. FEU 5. UP 6. UST 7. NU 8. Adamson UP - With the politics surrounding their basketball program, it is very difficult to put an accurate prediction as of yet. However, they currently have all the ingredients for a championship run in the following years except for a good coach. With them more or less acquiring Vince Burke, Kirk Long's teammate from Faith Academy, they now have potential to turn around the 0-14 season into something potentially big. That is of course if the politics doesn't stop them first. DLSU - With TY Tang and Cholo Villanueva graduating, DLSU will be left without an effective point guard. While JV Casio can double as one, he is much better not having to handle the ball too much. Their only choice is Simon Atkins and he just sucks as of now. (THAT IS SO RUDE!) While their backcourt will suffer, they will still have their big men. Rico Maierhofer will play next year and so will Marko Batricevic, their famed Serbian center. On top of that, you have Joshua Webb coming in from DLSZ in which he led them to another championship in the Juniors. That won't be enough though and they will need more fresh talent or else, they might not make the Final Four by 2009. FEU - People should start keeping an eye on these guys. Another rookie-laden team like UP but they were able to give the defending champs a run for their money. With the leading runner for ROY, JR Cawaling, expect these guys to explode in the coming years. UE - Much of their veterans will be graduating this year. The only ones remaining I believe are Barry Llagas, James Martinez, Jorel Canizares and Hans Thiele. They still have a good chance for a Final Four appearance but not an sweep eliminations this time. <Jorel graduated this year. stups... UST - No more veteran bench players. Jervy Cruz and Khasim Mirza are going to have to carry the whole load this time. We can expect them to field in their Team B players and also graduating players from the Juniors. However, I don't think we will be seeing them in the Final Four. NU - They screwed up big time this year and with no more Joseph Lingaolingao and Edwin Asoro, so too are there prospects in the coming years. Adamson - No one is currently capable of carrying their team right now and I believe they will be the cellar dwellers next year alongside NU.