While guards usually enjoy plenty of spotlight in Philippine basketball, there are many talented forwards who can get our attention as the NCAA unfurls its Season 97 on March 26.
Leading the "three" and "four" positions in the league are AJ Benson of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, who stands at 6-foot-4 and plays power forward.
Also tipped to lead their team's respective frontcourt are Kenneth Villapando of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Warren Bonifacio and Franz Abuda of Mapua University, Jeo Ambohot of Letran, and Gelo Sablan of Arellano University.
In Wednesday's episode of NCAA Season 97 primer "Game On," the forwards were visited by GMA actresses Pam Prinster, Athena Madrid, Faith Da Silva, and Zonia Mejia. They explained how their position works and differentiated the role of a small forward from a power forward.
From a coaching standpoint, Blazers head coach Charles Tiu said a forward should be tough enough to play physical basketball while also earning points on the offensive end.
"I like my forwards to be tougher, like guys who can be physical, who can defend, [and] who can rebound. The forwards also need to make plays, they have to be able to knock down open shots," Tiu said.
Emilio Aguinaldo College head coach Oliver Bunyi added: "A forward, supposed to be, is our best rebounder. He should have the instinct about where the ball will go after it has been shot by a player."
Head coaches Louie Gonzales of Jose Rizal University and Boyet Fernandez of San Beda University also said that a forward should be able to handle multiple positions.
Watch "Game On" every 10:30 a.m. until March 25. NCAA Season 97 will open on Saturday.
—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News
