Arellano University Chiefs
Last year's record: 9-9 (6th place)
Key losses: Kent Salado, Lervin Flores, Allen Enriquez
Key additions: Guilmer dela Torre, Adrian Alban
The Arellano Chiefs rode an MVP-level campaign from Kent Salado in Season 93, playing well enough to force a playoff for the No. 4 spot before eventually falling short. However, they will be without their dynamic point guard in Season 94, as Salado is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in the PBA D-League.
Thus, coach Jerry Codiñera admits that he has only "modest expectations" for his team this year, even as he stressed that they have the capacity to surprise the other NCAA squads. Expected to step up for Arellano this year is Levi dela Cruz, Salado's back-up last year, who will now be the Chiefs' primary playmaker.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights
Last year's record: 9-9 (5th place)
Key losses: Rey Nambatac
Key additions: Bonbon Batiller, Christian Fajarito, Larry Muyang
The Letran Knights sneaked their way into a playoff for the No. 4 spot last year, eventually falling short against a gritty San Sebastian College team. But they made a splash in the offseason when coach Jeff Napa finally unveiled his recruits, leading other coaches to label the Knights as potential dark horses for the season.
Gone is high-scoring guard Rey Nambatac, but the Knights will still have veterans JP Calvo, Bong Quinto, and Jerrick Balanza – all of whom had their shining moments in preseason tilts. But the spotlight will be on Napa's recruits – Bonbon Batiller, Christian Fajarito, and Larry Muyang, who will be expected to lift Letran to another level this year.
"We have to prepare kasi alam na ng kalaban na medyo maganda ang team namin," Napa said. "Maganda ang composition ng line-up, kaya siguro naging maganda na ang preparation namin kasi dumating na 'yung mga recruits talaga."
De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Blazers
Last year's record: 4-14 (8th place)
Key losses: Gerard Castor, Rene Sta. Maria
Key additions: Joshua Barnes, Justin Gutang
After a woeful one-win campaign two years ago, the Blazers showed plenty of promise last year, increasing their win total while steadily improving under new coach TY Tang. They continued their progress during the offseason, joining the PBA D-League as well as several tournaments.
The Blazers were so impressive in the D-League and in the FilOil tourney that they had already been tabbed as a dark horse contender for Season 94 – something that Tang has no problem with.
"We welcome all that," the youthful coach said. "Right now what our focus is on is to keep practicing together, sharing the ball, understanding the way we play, and hopefully whatever actions we do on court, makita na lang after that, 'yung end result. Pero kung ano man 'yung iisipin ng tao, nasa kanila na 'yun."
Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals
Last year's record – 7-11 (7th place)
Key losses: Francis Munsayac, Sidney Onwubere
Key additions: Maui Cruz, Ralph Robin
The Generals memorably won three of their first five games in Season 93, giving the team hope of finally making it to the Final 4. But injuries and inconsistent play hampered them for the rest of their campaign, and EAC once again missed the semifinals. However, they did not go home empty-handed as graduating forward Sidney Onwubere earned a Mythical Team citation.
Onwubere has since moved on to the PBA, but the Generals are expected to welcome back foreign student-athlete Hamadou Laminou, who was a game-changer on defense when he played for the Generals.
"We do not set aside naman the Final 4 hunt," EAC coach Ariel Sison said when asked of their expectations. "Pero the modest goal for us is simply to improve our standing from last year. We want to get more wins."
Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers
Last year's record – 11-7 (3rd place)
Key losses: Abdul Wahab AbdulRazak, Abdel Poutouochi, Teytey Teodoro, Gio Lasquety, Ervin Grospe
Key additions: Darius Estrella, Agem Mendoza
Despite another up-and-down campaign, the Heavy Bombers were still able to make it to the Final 4 last year. A four-game winning streak to end the elimination round put them safely through to the semifinals, where they lost to San Sebastian in the step-ladder semifinals.
Now, however, the Heavy Bombers are rebuilding. Gone is main man Teytey Teodoro, and their line-up does not include the foreign big men who anchored the middle for them for the past couple of years. Coach Vergel Meneses admits that he is not expecting too much from JRU this year, given that he has a virtually new team.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, just keep on working hard, and let's see what will happen," he said. "I'm not asking you for a win, na every game kailangan tayo manalo. Ang hinahanap ko lang sa kanila ay mag-trabaho sila every game."
Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates
Last year's record – 18-0 (No. 1 seed, lost to San Beda in the finals)
Key losses: Wilson Baltazar, Edcor Marata
Key additions: Rhanzelle Yong
The Lyceum Pirates made history in Season 93 when they rampaged through the elimination round, winning all 18 of their assignments. Of course, their season ended on a sour note, as they lost to San Beda in the finals – which exposed the Pirates' lack of experience in the biggest of stages.
Lyceum fixed that problem in the offseason by winning titles in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League and in the PBA D-League. The Pirates will still have the core of last year's team for their campaign in Season 94, and coach Topex Robinson has high expectations of his squad.
"We have to also bring our basketball to the next level, and again, it's always about reminding the players of why we're here in the first place, what we've started and how we're gonna continue. Ang sa amin is, we don't want to be a one and done team," he said.
Focus will still be on reigning MVP CJ Perez and star big man Mike Nzeusseu, but last season's Rookie of the Year, Jaycee Marcelino, should also be a player to watch out for after his superb performances in the offseason.
Mapua University Cardinals
Last season's record – 3-15 (10th place)
Key losses: Almel Orquina, JP Nieles, Andrew Estrella, Leo Gabo
Key additions: Exeqiel Biteng, Warren Bonifacio, Noah Lugo, Justin Serrano
Mapua's campaign in Season 93 never really got off the ground, due to the departure of reigning two-time MVP Allwell Oraeme before the start of the tournament. They won just once in their first 13 games, before putting together back-to-back triumphs over CSB and University of Perpetual Help – the highlight of their year.
Still, it was undoubtedly a lost season for the Cardinals, who missed the Final 4 after making two consecutive trips. There was some consolation: Christian Bunag established himself as a legit post presence, and Andoy Estrella had his moments as Mapua's main man.
For Season 94, however, coach Atoy Co has heightened expectations of his team, because he believes that this time around, they are more prepared. They have adjusted to Oraeme's absence and built around their local core.
"I think this season 'yung pinaka-talagang mas prepared kami," said Co. "Mas preparado kami. Kaya hindi nila kami pwedeng babali-balewalain. Pero I think, just for sure, this year will be better than last year."
San Beda University Red Lions
Last year's record – 16-2 (2nd seed, Champions)
Key losses: Ben Adamos
Key addition: Toba Eugene, Evan Nelle
The Red Lions answered all critics last year when they ended Lyceum's dream campaign in the Finals of Season 93. The defending champions leaned on Robert Bolick's crunch-time heroics to beat the Pirates, who had twice broken their hearts in the elimination round.
San Beda should remain the prohibitive favorite in Season 94. They lost big man Ben Adamos, only to respond by finally putting Toba Eugene in their roster. They also added longtime San Beda High School standout Evan Nelle.
And they still have Bolick and Javee Mocon, who have established themselves as two of the top players in the collegiate level. Despite his powerful roster, coach Boyet Fernandez is bracing for another difficult campaign.
"Every year naman, San Beda is looking for a championship, and I know it will be a tough one this season due to the fact that every team has improved, hired new coaches, and that will be a tough one for San Beda," said Fernandez.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags
Last year's record – 9-9 (4th)
Key losses: Ryan Costelo, Jayson David, Alfren Gayosa, Renzo Navarro
Key additions: Michael Are, Peter Arciaga, Jerico Isidro
The Golden Stags were the feel-good story of Season 93, a team that forced a three-way tie for the last spot in the Final 4 with a late surge. They went on to knock off Letran to take the fourth spot, then routed JRU in the step-ladder semifinals before falling just short against eventual champion San Beda.
What followed that inspirational run, however, was a rocky offseason. Several players left Baste, including Jayson David, Alfren Gayosa, and Renzo Navarro – all of whom had huge roles in their run to the Final 4. Veteran guard Ryan Costelo opted to forego his final year of eligibility.
Coach Egay Macaraya is adamant that what happened to his team was not an exodus. "It's an opportunity for our newcomers," he insists. "It's not a loss for us, because I will see new talents."
Still, this situation puts plenty of pressure on those who stayed in San Sebastian, particularly Michael Calisaan and RK Ilagan, who will now carry an even bigger load for the Golden Stags in their bid to return to the Final 4.
University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas (9th place)
Last year's record – 4-14
Key losses: Niko Cabiltes, Gab Dagangon, Jack Hao, Keith Pido, Flash Sadiwa
Key additions: Edgar Charcos, Jesmar Pedrosa, Jerome Pasia, Kobe Canoy
An MVP-caliber season from Prince Eze was not enough to lift Perpetual Help to contention in Season 94, as they mustered only four wins despite the dominance of their big man.
But the Season 94 hosts made a splash in the offseason, tapping multi-titled mentor Frankie Lim as their new coach. Lim plunged to work immediately, recruiting future talents for the Altas while putting his team in action in the PBA D-League.
Lim has seen plenty of improvement from the Altas, but is still reluctant to put too much pressure on the squad. "Sabi ko nga sa kanila, we just have to be decent and beat our record from last year. I think we'll be all right. The aim is first to be a part of the Final 4, then let's work from there," he said.
Much like last year, focus will be on the towering Eze who is expected to lead the way for the Altas.