Philstar.com's NCAA Power Rankings

1. San Beda. Even without Sudan Daniel, the team still ranks on top. Borgie Hermida, an essential part of the squad, will be sorely missed but Frankie Lim has a lot of players at his disposal. Baser Amer is poised to be the next big thing in college. It’s hard to pick a main man for the squad because almost all of the Lions can deliver when needed. Expect Garvo Lanete to carry the scoring load.

2. SSC-R. The Stags are the best team in the NCAA to foil San Beda’s title defense. Ato Agustin has left the squad but Turo Valenzona re-enters the fold. Some of the Stags played a part in the NLEX Road Warriors’ D-League win but the best player amongst the Stags is Calvin Abueva. The guy carried the cudgels with the exodus of Jimbo Aquino. I will not be surprised if the Stags win the NCAA title.

3. AU. In their first two years in the league, the team looked capable enough to score a Final Four feat. Now more than ever, they need to level up. Leo Isaac’s squad used the D-League to further enforce the Chiefs’ success in the form of Blackwater Elite. Adrian Celada is the team’s focal point and he will try his best to send the Chiefs to the top.

4. MIT. Chito Victolero is expected to lead his somewhat intact lineup. Allan Mangahas is the team’s main moneyman and he needs to have a glorious season because as it is right now, he is not in anyone’s radar to go pro. Others in line to step up are a bunch of vets led by Jonathan Banal, Jason Pascual, Rodel Ranises, Mark Sarangay, and Andretti Stevens. I expect this squad to at least contend for the Final Four.

5. CSJL. Letran now has a father and son theme. Louie Alas is in his eleventh year as head coach and with the way he played for the D-League’s Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, I expect Kevin Alas to impress and upgrade his game. While this roster fares less compared to when RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra were playing for the squad, the Knights has an opportunity to shock people.

6. DLS-CSB. Hopefully their PC Gilmore / D-League stint paid off. In his third season as head coach, Richard del Rosario is taking this year seriously. With how his first two conferences finished, the only way for the Blazers is up. Former RP Youth U-16 standout Michael Pate is with the team but fact is, the best player they have at the moment is Carlo Lastimosa.

7. EAC. Now is the time for Argel Mendoza to take his game to the next level. At this point, he needs to have a strong NCAA season to even be considered by people when he turns pro. The Generals are now under “Mr. Cool” Gerry Esplana, and hopefully the PBA vet can help Mendoza and the rest of the Generals make a statement.

8. JRU. In light of the 150th birthday of Jose Rizal, the Bombers are entering Season 87 talent-starved. Cameroonians Nchotu Njei and Joe Etame are not listed in their lineup and with Marvin Hayes, and JR Bulangis gone, the Bombers, coached by PBA legend Vergel Meneses, will rely on a young crew.

9. UPHSD. New coach Jimwell Gican has this unenviable task of solving the winning formula for the host school. Looking at what they have right now, I doubt if they can pose a threat to the rest of the league. I have no idea on what wonders Jett Vidal and this roster could produce but hopefully they could at least finish the season in the fifth or eighth spot.

10. LPU. The tides of change brought them to NCAA. So what if they are new guys? They will carry on their winning tradition in NCAA and that’s a bad thing for the rest of the league. Bonnie Tan is calling the shots for the Pirates. For Lyceum fans, I hope Allan Santos and the rest of the Pirates can pull off a strong showing and prove my article wrong!