MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament is still young, but there have already been plenty of flashes of greatness from the current crop of basketball stars in the league.

Every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, UAAP fans have been seeing players who are making a jump to superstar status as they strive to bring glory to their school.

So far in Season 80, there have been eight players who are performing at a high level for their school as they go for great this season.

• READ: Which UAAP team has the most current players in the PBA?

Thirdy Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)

The younger Ravena is experiencing a major leap in UAAP Season 80. After averaging 9.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in Season 79, Thirdy is now norming 18 points and 9 boards through three games for the Blue Eagles, who are unbeaten so far in the tournament.

To make matters even harder for opposing teams, Ravena's elite athleticism has been in full display as he seems to have harnessed his physical gifts better, compared to last year.

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Aljun Melecio (De La Salle Green Archers)

The Season 79 Rookie of the Year is reaping the benefits of an offense designed by La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo, that has already proven to make scoring machines out of its backcourt players.

With Ben Mbala missing La Salle's first two games due to his duties for Cameroon in the 2017 Afro Basket, Melecio's shackles came undone, averaging 24.5 points, four rebounds, five assists, and 2.5 steals in two games.

Even with Mbala back, Melecio should still be a constant scoring option for Ayo, who employs an offense that allows the diminutive guard to burn the nets whenever he gets hot.

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Jordan Bartlett (NU Bulldogs)

National University has a new coach in Jamike Jarin, a new athletic foreign student-athlete to replace Alfred Aroga in Issa Gaye, and a new go-to guard in Jordan Bartlett.

Bartlett made up for a quiet debut when he led NU to a gallant stand against defending champions La Salle last Saturday, as he poured in 23 points in a losing effort. In Bartlett, Jarin may just have found the perfect backcourt partner for veteran J-Jay Alejandro.

Bartlett is currently averaging a decent 14 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists per game.

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Juan Gomez de Liaño (UP Fighting Maroons)

While Paul Desiderio has been UP's main man this season, the younger Gomez de Liaño is showing signs that he is the future face of the Fighting Maroons. The UAAP Season 79 Juniors MVP has started making his case as the top newcomer in the league, with his astounding play that does not make him look like a rookie.

With terrific speed, athleticism, IQ, and height, "Juan GDL" is second in the team in scoring with 10 points, while also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

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Ron Dennison (FEU Tamaraws)

The host school's team captain has made a name for himself as a defender since the start of his UAAP career until Season 79. In Season 80, Dennison has been the league's leading Most Improved Player candidate, norming 15 points per game spiked with 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

It is a massive hike from his averages in Season 79, when he only tallied 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Aiding Dennison's transformation into FEU's main offensive weapon is his ability to find seams in the defense to exploit and spot open teammates while on the fly.

Yet Dennison remains one of the UAAP's best lockdown defenders, and continues to mark the opposing team's best players.

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Sean Manganti (Adamson Soaring Falcons)

While Robbie Manalang and Kurt Lojera provide the fireworks for the young Adamson team, Sean Manganti's development into versatile forward makes them a future contender. With last season's leading scorer Jerrick Ahanmisi yet to break out, and big man Papi Sarr still nursing a groin injury, Manganti is norming 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

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Marvin Lee (UST Growling Tigers)

University of Santo Tomas is still in rebuilding mode, but thanks to Marvin Lee and transferee Steve Akomo, the Tigers cannot be taken for granted. Lee has been exceptional for Boy Sablan through their first three games, averaging 17 points a game with 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 41.7% from the three-point area.

Nevertheless, UST needs to find another option aside from Lee and Akomo if they hope to contend.

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Clark Derige (UE Red Warriors)

University of the East continues to claw its way back to the top of the UAAP after the Paul Lee era. The light at the end of the tunnel looks to be fourth-year player Clark Derige, who is averaging 16 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, after norming only 4.5 points per game last season.

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