SHAKE-UP

Just when we thought that we had a slow week of basketball, action immediately went up a notch as marquee games were played that gave good impressions to some of the teams in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Power Rankings.

With NSAC nearing its end while the UBelt Cup is in its mid-season, the start of the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Season Five and the Fil-Oil EcoOil Preseason Cup gave the basketball fanatics another reason to enjoy collegiate basketball, as they will feature games that will surely get the attention of the people.

In Fil-Oil, last season's UAAP Final Four teams got their feet wet with UP Fighting Maroons immediately flexing their muscles early.

The Fighting Maroons won their first two games by defeating UST on opening day 82-78 behind their 1-2 punch in VJ Pre and Rey Remogat, as both combined for 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

The Diliman-based dribblers followed their win with another victory, this time trampling the NU Bulldogs 76-67, with Pre and Remogat wreaking havoc once again.

The Bulldogs, despite the loss, did not have a bad week, as they were able to pull off a morale-boosting 70-64 win over UAAP kings, the La Salle Green Archers, on the opening day, as Reinhard Jumamoy presided over the offense of the Bulldogs with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

The Archers, who were adjusting to the big loss of Mike Phillips, were led by Jacob Cortez, who had a near triple-double performance of 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists.

With the victories, UP and NU each went up a notch, while DLSU fell down by 2 slots.

Entering the Top 5 this week are the much-improved Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, as they came away with a 10-point win over last season's NCAA finalist, the Letran Knights.

Meanwhile, the Mapua Cardinals, now under Coach Chito Victolero, gave a good performance against fellow NCAA team the LPU Pirates as it took home an 87-66 win.

With its key players gone, the Cardinals leaned on Yam Concepcion's game-long brillance as he finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The College of St. Benilde Blazers, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, and Emilio Aguinaldo Generals each moved up a slot, while the Letran Knights fell to the 9th spot.

The Blazers, despite losing their game against the rebuilding San Sebastian Stags in NSAC, rebounded in their next games as they took home the win against the Perpetual Altas in FilOil and registered an upset over UST in the UBelt Cup.

The Tamaraws opened their Fil-Oil campaign with a resounding win against the Gilas U-18 team as they showcased their young talents, ready to make a name for themselves.

The Generals' steady game was in effect in their 1st game in FilOil as they came away with a 91-88 win over the Arellano Chiefs.

Finding their way back to the power rankings is CESAFI's pride, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, after nabbing the championship in the PRISAA national games.

Representing Central Visayas, the Green Lancers defeated Calabarzon, which was represented by the St. Dominic College Pikemen, 62-52.

Adjudged as the tournament MVP was UV's Raul Gentalian, while teammates Ivan Alsola and Zyle Cabellon were part of the mythical five.

The Pikemen, meanwhile, despite losing the championship game, also went up the rankings as they were led by PRISAA Mythical Five member Edward Daquioag.

Appearing for the first time in the power rankings at the 32nd spot is the AUF Great Danes, who won the bronze medal in PRISAA while representing Region 3.

Expect more action to happen in collegiate basketball as teams try to outdo each other and create unimaginable shake-ups in the rankings.