ESPN5.com's college hoops writers preview the 10 teams competing in the 95th season of the NCAA.
JRU Heavy Bombers
Season 94 performance: 3-15 (10th place)
A new era begins for the JRU Heavy Bombers this season as head coach Louie Gonzalez takes the reins from longtime mentor Vergel Meneses.
it will be a homecoming of sorts for Gonzalez as he returns to the NCAA after winning the 2015 title with the Letran Knights under then head coach Aldin Ayo. He is fresh off a year of experience as the shot caller for perennial UAAP powerhouse De La Salle Green Archers.
"It's an easier adjustment here compared to La Salle," Gonzalez said in Filipino. "For me, the transition is easier because with their (JRU) situation, we all started from scratch. With the way things are running, come NCAA, I can't ask anything else from my players."
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity and the trust from JRU. This time, I'm getting my groove better as a head coach. Right now, I see things more clearly."
The Heavy Bombers have revamped their roster in an uphill battle towards the league's elite. From last year's team, only two remain - Mark Dela Virgen and Karl Brogdon. Jed Mendoza, the go-to-guy of the team in Season 94 transferred to the UE Red Warriors in the UAAP. To top it all off, scorer Darius Estrella has been ruled of the tournament due to an ACL injury.
Despite the numerous changes, Gonzalez is confident that his team can perform.
"One thing's for sure, they're going to fight," he said. "Right now, the superstar is the team. I'm giving them equal opportunity. Of course, MJ (Dela Virgen) will still shine. I think he's the toughest, he manages the team, he puts everyone into place."
"Every day, I talk to Agem (Miranda) and Ry (Dela Rosa), I give them more responsibility. With their attitude, they're really up to it. Agem is really special. Ry is a team player, he does the small things," he added.
There is also hope and promise from JRU's high school program. John Amores, a burly forward who was 17th overall in NBTC's top high school player rankings, hopes to make a name for himself in college. Junior standouts John Delos Santos, Marwin Dionisio, and Thomas Vasquez are all also reliable role players for the rebuilding Heavy Bombers.
"My rookies from high school are really promising," Gonzalez said. "For me, it's a good opportunity to show that there is a connection from the Light Bombers program to the Heavy Bombers."
"They are a young team, but they're promising. What's good with the players right now, they've bought into the system."
After finishing dead last in the team standings and mustering only three wins last season, Gonzalez remains modest with their goals for the upcoming season.
"My fearless forecast is that this team will fight. Our goal is to be a patient and disciplined team," the coach said. "We won't go anywhere but up. For this one, a seventh or eighth place finish is okay because it's a rebuilding team. Our goal is to improve and improve."
EAC Generals
Season 94 performance: 4-14 (9th place)
A veteran coach and an experienced teacher of the game will now call the shots for the EAC Generals.
Oliver Bunyi, a tactician who has earned his keep as an assistant in the ASEAN Basketball League and PBA, as well as to the first iteration of Gilas Pilipinas, is now on the sidelines of the Generals. Bunyi will have the daunting task of trying to reinvigorate a basketball program that's hungry for a Final Four berth.
"(Marwin) Taywan and (JP) Maguliano will play a big part," Bunyi said on who will be his key players for the upcoming season. "They're the ones who performed in the preseason. But I don't think they are capable of carrying the whole team by themselves. They still need maturity. I have high hopes for Jethro Mendoza, Renzo Tampoc, and rookies JC Luciano, Renz Gonzales, and Dom Dayrit."
It will be a collective effort for the Generals especially with the loss of their foreign student-athlete Hamadou Laminou.
"He got only one subject left last term and he overlooked it. Basically, he's not eligible this coming season," said Bunyi.
Laminou, a 6-foot-8 workhorse, posted 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game last year.
Bunyi will also bank on his team's experience in the preseason. The Generals joined the PBA D-League as Batangas-EAC and played against tough competition. They only had two wins in nine games but it was a good learning experience for the squad.
"I'm very positive but we're not satisfied," Bunyi said on their preseason preparations. "I saw that if they work together, there's a possibility for us to win big games."
A sudden rise to NCAA prominence, especially from a ninth-place finish last season, will not be done overnight. Still, Bunyi expects his wards to give their all in Season 95.
"If I will temper my expectations, it may cause me to relax and not do my job. But I'm expecting that they will always give their perfect effort," the coach said. "Our best might not be enough against the others' best this season, but I believe we'll eventually catch up with them."