It was a very exciting year in college hoops in the Metropolis. Picking the top headline in the Metro Manila collegiate basketball calendar would be an exercise in futility. Several headlines made this one of the best collegiate basketball seasons in recent memory. Let’s take a look at some of the more memorable ones, ones that truly made an impact on the basketball landscape.

NCAA Admits Three Guest Teams

It was the 85th season of the premiere collegiate basketball tournament in the country, and to celebrate that milestone they brought in three schools as guest teams this year. Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Angeles University Foundation all saw action in the NCAA Season 85 basketball wars. Arellano had the most success in their maiden NCAA appearance, although all three newcomers have now contributed new stars to the NCAA. Hopefully all three will return as regular members in the NCAA over the next few years.

Ateneo Completes Back-to-Black

In their sesquicentennial year, the Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles completed their second UAAP back-to-back championship. If their championship last season was all about the players finally maturing and coming into their own as legitimate college hoop stars, this season’s title was all about cementing the greatness of Norman Black as a college coach. Black and his coaching staff made sure Rabeh Al-Hussaini would not make his Season 71 MVP reign a fluke, and they made Jai Reyes a true superstar pointguard, things others said could not be done. Winning a Triple Crown with the University Games and PCCL titles were, in the words of Reyes, mere icing on the cake for the Blue Eagles.

FEU Letdown

They ruled practically the entire off-season, claiming the Fr Martin Cup Open Division and then the Fil Oil summer championship. They sent three players to the Smart Gilas National Developmental Team. They were expected to win it all come Season 72 of the UAAP. Things did not quite work out as expected. Whether it was the added pressure of being the Season 72 Host School, or the suspected burnout of their three Smart Gilas mainstays, or simply bad luck, or a combination of any of these, the Tamaraws came short of the prize.

San Sebastian Ends San Beda Title Reign

San Beda thought they had it all figured out: bring in a dominant foreign player, surround him with other talented players, and watch the trophies come rolling in. For three straight seasons beginning in 2006, roll in they did, as Nigerian giant Sam Ekwe dominated the NCAA. When Ekwe was gone they brought in American Sudan Daniel this season and figured to make it a 4-Peat. San Sebastian apparently had other plans. Their last title seemed ages ago when in fact it was just seven seasons removed. Working with an all-Filipino crew of stud athletes and a new coach in PBA legend Ato Agustin, the Golden Stags nearly swept the regular season and then bundled up the Red Lions in the Season 85 Finals in a two-game sweep.

Ato Badolato Retires in Style

Edmundo “Ato” Badolato ended his San Beda coaching career the same way he and Pepe Sanchez started it over 30 years ago – with an NCAA junior division championship for his beloved Red Cubs. Badolato has won 16 NCAA junior division titles and has produced some of the best players in Philippine basketball including Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and Dindo Pumaren. He will remain with the San Beda Athletics Office.

Fatima Joins NAASCU

Our Lady of Fatima University became the newest team in the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. They made quite a sterling debut, making it into the quarterfinals in the seniors division and coming in second in the junior division. Starting from scratch just a couple of months before the season opening, the Phoenix relied on a lot of heart and hustle and some of the most underrated coaching in the business to stamp their class on the so-called Third League.

UCLAA Holds Successful Inaugural Season

Joining the seemingly never-ending parade in the alphabet soup of local varsity tournaments, the Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletics Association completed its first season this year. St Francis of Assisi College, the inaugural season host, held off Philippine College of Criminology to win the Season 1 championship. UCLAA Season 2 is now currently ongoing.