UAAP Power Rankings: Resilient Tams stay on top

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — These rankings are based on each team’s Cumulative Efficiency Ratings (CER – sum of all its players’ efficiency ratings as calculated by PBA-Online.net) AND its wins. The formula I used was this:

Team EFF = CER + (# of wins x 70)

I gave each win a value of 70 stat points simply because the average score for each of the college teams in the 2013 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup (based on Statsboard.com) was 72.45ppg. I just rounded that down to an even 70.

Despite the limitations of the statistical basis, I believe that these rankings still generally reflect a balance of “how good each team has been” and “how good each team is projected to be.”

I’m 110% sure not everyone will agree with the following rankings, but that was never the point anyway. As long as this fosters discussion and gives fodder for tabletop discourse, then all’s good. Well, hopefully.

Let’s go. Time for the disagreeing to begin.

1. FEU Tamaraws
(5 wins, 0 losses, 631.1 Team EFF)

Hands up if you honestly thought FEU could go up 5-0 without the Bringas boys and Russel Escoto. Yeah, thought so. All the credit goes to coach Nash Racela and his efforts to really make this team play like a well-oiled barangay team (they don’t really have complex plays, but they get the job done).

2. UST Growling Tigers 
(3 wins, 1 loss, 432.9 EFF)

When Karim Abdul plays the way he should, hardly any team can match-up, let alone beat, UST. And the Tigers will need Abdul to be strong for the long run, since there is no timetable yet for Jeric Teng’s return.

3. NU Bulldogs
(3 wins, 2 losses, 382.4 Team EFF)

Emmanuel Mbe has rediscovered his fine form and very quickly everyone has forgotten about Alfred Aroga. This is the only team with two guys registering 40+ EFF ratings.

4. UE Red Warriors

(2 wins, 3 losses, 362.0 EFF)

Mighty impressive bounce-back win over Ateneo thanks mainly to the superhuman double-double of Charles Mammie. And they’ve also got the best point guard in the league – Roi Sumang.

5. Adamson Soaring Falcons
(2 wins, 2 losses, 355.5 Team EFF)

The loss to Ateneo is a little forgivable given how Ingrid Sewa didn’t play for stretches. Jericho Cruz was still awesome despite the loss, and Sewa + Brondial is still maybe the most physically imposing frontline out there.

6. DLSU Green Archers
(2 wins, 2 losses, 352.7 Team EFF)

Should’ve won against FEU, but they (read: Jeron Teng) just dropped the ball in regulation. They have a tough stretch ahead of them with UE, Adamson, and NU, so it’s time to batten down the hatches along Taft Avenue.

7. Ateneo Blue Eagles
(1 win, 4 losses, 295.8 EFF)

Could’ve been a breakthrough week for the Eagles had they won against UE, but their late rally was just that – too late. Kiefer is still trying to break himself into tip-top shape, while the frontcourt took another hit after G-Boy Babilonia was announced to be out for the rest of the season.

8. UP Fighting Maroons
(0 wins, 4 losses, 236.4 Team EFF)

No big surprise losing to NU, but this weekend gives them maybe their best chance at springing an upset against Ateneo.