BEING part of the national team—the Smart-Gilas Team Pilipinas, in particular—has boosted the skills of several players in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“Maganda ’yung Smart-Gilas na experience na nakuha ng mga bata,” said University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio, who has Smart-Gilas standout Dylan Ababou on his lineup.

Jarencio said Ababou improved immensely and the Growling Tigers will be leaning on him after the squad lost eight veterans, including Season 70 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jervy Cruz.

“Ang laki ng improvement niya sa lahat ng aspects. Pati depensa, outside shooting, pati drive. Maganda talaga ’yung nakuha niyang experience doon,” added Jarencio.

The RP developmental team, coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman, is looking to compete for slots for the 2012 London Olympics. The team has played tough games here and abroad, even against professional squads, and finished a strong fifth in the recent Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta  

Of all the squads in the UAAP, Far Eastern University (FEU) has the most number of players on the national team—Mark Barroca, JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos.

But it is Barroca, a finals MVP in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), who is expected to make the biggest impact.

“Nakita mo naman ’yung Barroca. Third year niya ngayon pero nagdo-dominate na ng PBL. ’Yung mga tune-up games ng RP team sa PBA [Philippine Basketball Association], grabe rin ang nilaro,” said Jarencio.

FEU coach Glenn Capacio definitely sees the difference in Barroca’s game from last year.

“Malaki ang in-improve ni Mark. Ang skills at confidence niya, nandoon na,” said Capacio.

Capacio, however, said he is not banking on Barroca.

“Positive ’yun dahil makakalimutan nila ’yung iba. ’Yun ang advantage ko. Sa kagustuhan nilang ma-i-stop si Mark, magi-step up ’yung ibang players,” said Capacio.

The men’s basketball tournament unfurls on Saturday with University of Santo Tomas facing Adamson at 2 p.m., and last season’s runner-up De La Salle going up against University of the East at 4 p.m.

Defending champion Ateneo opens its season on Sunday against FEU at 4 p.m. after the match between University of the Philippines and National University at 2 p.m.

The Tamaraws are looking to break a 22-year spell in the UAAP when a host team also captures the coveted men’s cage crown. The Ateneo Blue Eagles did it in 1987.

Montinola is confident of the Tamaraws, whom he compared with a team that won for FEU the crown a few years ago.

“It reminds me of the FEU teams that won the title in 2003 to 2005,” Montinola said. That batch was composed of Arwind Santos, Jonas Villanueva, RJ Rizada, Jeff Chan and Mark Isip.

Meanwhile, with only Chris Tiu missing on the team, the Blue Eagles remain a dominant force.

MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini heads the Eagles charge along with defensive specialist Nonoy Baclao, guards Jai Reyes and Eric Salamat, and forward Ryan Buenafe.