As I sat watching the opening day of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Combine last Friday, I couldn't help but draw parallels between the absence of consensus top pick Bella Belen and the unpredictable nature of UAAP Season 85's basketball championship race. The empty spot where Bella should have been at Paco Arena reminded me of how even the most promising contenders can falter when it matters most. This season's UAAP basketball tournament delivered exactly that kind of drama - where expectations collided with reality in the most thrilling ways possible.

Let me take you through the five teams that truly defined this championship race, starting with the undeniable powerhouse that was the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Having watched them develop over recent seasons, I've never seen a team so perfectly blend offensive firepower with defensive discipline. Their average margin of victory throughout the season stood at an impressive 12.3 points, and what made them particularly dangerous was their depth. Unlike teams relying on one or two stars, UP had at least seven players who could take over games when needed. Their quarterfinal performance against Adamson demonstrated this perfectly - when their main scorer went cold, three different players stepped up to score 15+ points. That kind of balanced attack is what championship teams are made of, and frankly, it's what separates good teams from great ones.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles presented what I consider the most fascinating case study of the season. Their transformation from a rebuilding squad to genuine title contenders happened faster than anyone expected, including myself. I remember watching their preseason games and thinking they were at least two years away from competing at the highest level. Boy, was I wrong. Coach Tab Baldwin worked his usual magic, implementing a defensive scheme that held opponents to just 68.7 points per game - the best defensive rating in the league. Their January matchup against La Salle showcased this defensive mastery, holding the Green Archers to their season-low of 63 points. What impressed me most was how they adapted their strategy mid-season when injuries hit their frontcourt - they shifted to a smaller, faster lineup that actually improved their defensive switching and three-point shooting percentages.

Speaking of La Salle, the Green Archers brought an offensive spectacle that made every one of their games must-watch basketball. Their pace and scoring ability reminded me of the run-and-gun teams from the early 2000s, but with modern efficiency. They led the league in scoring with 85.4 points per game and three-point percentage at 38.7%. I had the privilege of attending their February game against UE where they put up 94 points while shooting 52% from the field - absolutely breathtaking offensive execution. However, their occasional defensive lapses, particularly in transition defense, is what ultimately prevented them from reaching the finals. In my analysis, they needed just one more reliable defensive stopper to complement their offensive firepower.

The NU Bulldogs deserve special mention for their remarkable consistency throughout the season. While they didn't have the flashiest players or the most explosive offense, they played with a discipline and cohesion that I haven't seen in years. Their ball movement statistics were off the charts - averaging 24.3 assists per game with only 11.2 turnovers. That assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.17 is something you'd typically see in professional leagues, not collegiate basketball. Their systematic approach to every possession made them incredibly difficult to play against, even for more talented teams. I particularly enjoyed watching their backcourt duo control the tempo of games - they played with the poise of veterans despite being just sophomores.

Completing our top five is the FEU Tamaraws, who embodied the concept of team basketball better than any squad I've watched this season. They didn't have a single player averaging more than 14 points, but had eight players contributing between 7-13 points per game. This balanced scoring made them incredibly unpredictable and difficult to defend. Their coaching staff deserves tremendous credit for developing this system, though I must admit I questioned their approach early in the season when they lacked a clear go-to scorer in clutch situations. However, by season's end, they had developed multiple players capable of taking big shots, which made them dangerous in close games.

Reflecting on this season's championship race, the parallel with Bella Belen's unexpected absence becomes even more poignant. Just as the PVL combine demonstrated that even the most anticipated prospects can defy expectations, UAAP Season 85 proved that preseason predictions mean very little once the games begin. The teams that succeeded weren't necessarily the most talented on paper, but those that adapted, evolved, and played to their strengths consistently. Having covered collegiate basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of the most competitive and entertaining seasons in recent memory. The way these five teams pushed each other to greater heights throughout the season created a championship race that will be discussed for years to come, much like we'll be talking about Bella Belen's mysterious absence from the combine. Sometimes what doesn't happen becomes as memorable as what does, and in UAAP Season 85, both the expected and unexpected moments combined to create basketball magic.