ESPN5.com's college hoops writers preview the 10 teams competing in the 95th season of the NCAA.
Arellano Chiefs
Season 94 performance: 5-13 (8th place)
Banking on the return of graduating Kent Salado, NCAA Season 95 hosts Arellano Chiefs are looking to return to the Final Four.
Salado's final season was derailed by an ACL tear, but he is back for a proper send-off to his illustrious collegiate career. He was a complement to star guard and now PBA champion Jio Jalalon, and now the team hopes he could do more of the same.
Under the tutelage of new coach Cholo Martin, the Chiefs will strongly rely on Salado's experience to help them reach the playoffs, something they failed to do last season with a 5-13 record.
Martin is also no stranger to success as he was previously an assistant with the San Beda Red Lions, winners of 11 of the last 13 NCAA championships.
"Kent Salado will be a great help to the team, because of his leadership and his experience as a veteran player will be a big help to the team, especially on offense," said Martin.
Martin will be replacing former tactician Jerry Codiñera, who steered the team to two Finals appearances.
Salado will help boost the play of Archie Concepcion, one of the team's revelations last season. Also joining the fray are newcomers Justin Arana, Gelo Sablan, and Alfren Gayosa, all transferees.
"The AU team from my own opinion will be competitive this coming season, the composition of the team are a mixture of seasoned veterans that will give us the experienced and four seasoned high school players/rookies," Martin added.
Mapua Cardinals
Season 94 performance: 6-12 (7th place)
The Mapua Cardinals will be entering the season with the homegrown talent from their very successful high school program spearheading the charge.
NCAA Season 94 Juniors Finals MVP Paolo Hernandez, another alumnus from the Malayan School of Science, will join former Red Robins Warren Bonifacio and the Laurenz Victoria.
The Cardinals also obtained the services of another talented player out of high school, Cyril Gonzales, who was an integral cog for the NU Bullpups' championship squad last season.
The team will be coached by a familiar face, former Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara, who was the architect of the team's dynastic run. He replaced longtime coach Atoy Co, who was let go in December.
Alcantara sees the promotion to the college level as his biggest challenge yet. Even though they have an up-and-coming lineup, he does not expect a Final Four appearance for the young squad.
"Our goal is to be competitive every game, and see what we had learned from practice. The players must show the Mapua community and to the whole NCAA that they are different beasts from last season. Just to see how my players frustrate our opponents is already a big achievement for me," Alcantara said in Filipino.