5 UAAP basketball players we’ll miss the most

MANILA, Philippines – With the UAAP Season 75 basketball season over, various teams bid farewell to their seniors, some of whom have been key players and leaders.

Below is Rappler’s top 5 picks of the players we’ll miss the most, and the ones we find hardest to say goodbye to.

1. Greg Slaughter, Ateneo de Manila University
Season 75 stats
14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.1 steals, 2.9 blocks
51.6% FG shooting, 72.5% FT shooting

How could you replace a behemoth that has anchored your frontline the past two years? Slaughter is probably the most polished seven-footer who ever set foot on college basketball and seeing him bid the UAAP goodbye will give Ateneo’s new coach — whoever he is — headaches on how to equal the production of the two-time Mythical Team member brought day in, day out.

That might actually be a good thing for the rest of the league, as they have one big — literally and figuratively — problem gone.

2. Nico Salva, Ateneo de Manila University

Season 75 stats
13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.4 blocks
48.6% FG shooting, 88,9% FT shooting

After romping through five championships in five seasons in the UAAP, Salva and his slick, almost-perfect midrange jumper will be gone from the collegiate ranks.

From making it to the All-Rookie team in his first season to bagging the Sixth Man of the Year award in his sophomore stint to getting back-to-back Finals MVP plums in his last two years, Salva has been a consistent contributor to Ateneo’s five-peat. We might not see a five-time winner like him again in a while.

3. Eric Camson, Adamson University
Season 75 stats
14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks
40.4% 3FG shooting, 61.0% FT shooting

Camson used Season 75 to showcase the skills he’s been flaunting to a limited extent as a reserve in his first three years in the UAAP. And after a rough start, the jump-shooting forward unleashed his offensive assault, scoring on jumpers, three-pointers, layups and putbacks as Adamson struggled to cope with the loss of star wingman Alex Nuyles.

Unfortunately for fans of the Falcons, Camson will not be back next year to provide firepower for the San Marcelino-based crew.

4. Jeric Fortuna, University of Santo Tomas
Season 75 stats
8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals
35.4% FG shooting, 78.3% FT shooting

Fortuna’s evolution into a big-game point guard did not come easily for UST. But when it happened, he made sure that he will bring the Tigers on the cusp of greatness.

Fortuna masterfully orchestrated UST’s talented roster into a harmonious squad that took the league by storm before falling short in the finals. The five-foot-seven playmaker will be sorely missed by the Tigers, whose huge heart stood out in the finals against the Blue Eagles. Head coach Pido Jarencio acknowledged Fortuna for giving it his all until the very end, leading the team like a true captain with his never-say-die attitude.

5. Emmanuel Mbe, National University
Season 75 stats
13.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.9 blocks
56.9% FG shooting, 66.1% FT shooting

From MVP contender to the MVP’s sidekick, Mbe played his role in a workmanlike manner — no fuss but efficient. Sources within the university say that the Cameroonian will forgo his final year of eligibility to move up to a professional league that will see him go to different countries to play.

And even if NU will welcome another talented African in Alfred Aroga, they will miss what the charismatic Mbe has brought to the team: toughness, grit and hardwork.

Honorable mentions: Mike Silungan, Mark Lopez, Gene Belleza, Jovet Mendoza, Justin Chua – Rappler.com, all photos by Joshua Albelda