Next Man Cup: UP vs UE quick preview

The Pinoyliga Next Man cUP is back in action at the Activate Hoop Arena this Saturday, December 10, as UE takes on UP in the second-ever game of the tournament.

A week after escaping San Beda's Team Behold in the opener, the Red Warriors had another gigantic task at hand, as the reserves from the reigning UAAP basketball champions would challenge them head-on.

UP's Team B: a short history and notable alumni
Save for the likes of Ateneo and San Beda, there are not many details regarding the Team B's of the respective member schools in the NCAA and the UAAP. UP is no exemption from that.

Recently, however, the Fighting Maroons have also made strides in their reserve squads, as they are also regulars in the tournaments such as the Father Martin's Cup and the Breakdown Basketball Invitationals.

With their recent rise to prominence, UP has become one of the most sought-after schools in college basketball, and it's no surprise that Team B hoops are one of the stepping stones to their careers. In case you missed it, Jun Manzo was one of those varsity alumni that worked his way up by way of the second team, and eventually spent three UAAP seasons with UP, including a runner-up finish in 2018.

Who are in the UP's Reserves?

Fans of the Nazareth-NU Bullpups would love to know how the teammates of Gerry Abadiano, Carl Tamayo, and Terrence Fortea are right now after graduating.

Well, we got some answers for you.

Two of those are Ernest Felicilda and Reyland Torres, with the backcourt pair looking forward to UAAP 86 as they are in the B team to serve out their residency.

The pair have been known to be the key reserves for Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwyn Monteverde since their days in Sampaloc.

Monteverde was listed as the head coach in this tournament, but we might see his assistant Moriah Gingerich on the sidelines tomorrow afternoon.

Also in the squad were Lowell Briones Jr, the son of the namesake pro veteran who played in both the MBA and the PBA, and Mark Belmonte, who was the first victim of disgraced JRU Heavy Bomber John Amores' court rage during the preseason.

What can we expect more from UE?
UE's preps for 2023 got off to a good start with their win against San Beda, but Jack Santiago's side will have to mark the likes of Felicilda, Torres, and Briones in order to stand a chance.

Apart from that, they have to continue their balanced scoring, with Josiah Alcantara and Marc Cabero leading the way.

In this short format, every game counts.

Watch UP vs UE in the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP on Pinoyliga Cup's Facebook Page. For the game stats, visit Pinoyliga.com