think rainbows

As we all know by now, the UAAP Finals is underway after Ateneo escaped an unrelenting UST team last Sept. 15, while FEU outlasted a feisty Adamson squad by beating them twice to book a rematch of last year's finals. Yesterday, Ateneo took Game 1 with a huge 82-64 win after a "perfect" performance from veteran Nico Salva and quality minutes coming from seldom-used JP Erram.

It was a close fight at first, even though Ateneo registered an early 6-0 lead. FEU was able to come back as they even snatched the lead at the end of the first quarter, 19-14. The Tamaraws registered their biggest lead in the ballgame during the second quarter at 10, but Ateneo was able to tie it at 33-all come halftime.

Both teams didn't let each other get away that far in the score boards, but the Eagles were able to find their rhythm in the third quarter. After the Tamaraws tied the ballgame at 45-all midway through the third quarter, Ateneo just blasted their way up to the top as the third quarter finished with a 60-49 lead by the guys in blue.

The Tamaraws tried to get back in the game but the Eagles were just too hard to handle for them. The biggest lead of the ballgame was at 75-55 as to every shot (and even missed shots) the Tamaraws made, Ateneo had an answer. The two squads will meet again on Tuesday for Game 2 of the finals, as the Blue Eagles will try to aim for their four-peat while FEU will try to spoil them and force a rubber match to try and snatch away the crown.

I've said and thought before this finals series began that whoever wins game 1 would likely be champions. Now that the Blue Eagles have won it, we all wouldn't be suprised if they sweep the Tamaraws again. But, I'm pretty sure a lot of people, especially the FEU faithful, are praying for a rubber match on Saturday. The Tamaraws need a lot of HEART and DETERMINATION if they want to at least force a deciding game 3 for this finals series. Whoever wins the championship for this season, congratulations. It was an awesome season for uaap basketball after all. And there's a lot in store for us in the coming seasons.

P.S.
It was an awesome season for uaap basketball after all...especially the Tigers! Lol okay I just had to add that. =))
But personally, I would like a game 3 too.
korni talaga ng game 2, Tuesday, hindi mapapanuod, ksh.

That last shot by Jeric Fortuna was on replay in my mind for a couple of hours as I was imagining different scenarios as to what could have happened instead.

1. Afuang inbounds the ball to Fortuna, the three point shot goes in, and who knows what could have happened in overtime. Of course I'm thinking, UST wins in overtime and we go to Game 2.
2. Afuang inbounds the ball to Fortuna, Fortuna makes the pass to an open Jeric Teng, and the three point shot goes in. Again, who knows what could have happened in overtime.
3. The three point shot, either by Fortuna or Teng, still doesn't go in.

It's a bitter pill to swallow to think that we almost had it but we didn't, and that there won't be any chances to get back at the opponent on the next game, for there won't be a next game. That was it. But the bitterness was swallowed by the mightiness that the Growling Tigers have shown.

UST started out strong, registering an early 4-0 lead against the Blue Eagles. You can see it in how they play that they really wanted to win this game. They led most of the time in the first quarter, thanks to Karim Abdul's mighty presence inside. At the end of the first quarter, score was tied at 18-all.

Ateneo's defense woke up in the second quarter and they started to pull away with the help of their bench players as Tonino Gonzaga put Ateneo ahead at 26-21. The Eagles went on a 11-4 run to grab a 38-28 lead, and eventually the first half ended with the Eagles on top, 38-30.

With eyes on the prize, Ateneo didn't want UST to get near at all as they surged ahead in the third quarter to register their biggest lead, 48-33, courtesy of Slaughter, Ravena, and Salva. Teng and Afuang managed to put UST within 48-37, but Greg Slaughter stopped the momentum with a slam to the delight of the blue side of the Coliseum. At the end of the third quarter, the Blue Eagles were still on top, 52-40.

At the back of my mind, I kept on thinking, kaya pa 'to, kaya pa, laban lang.

In their final elimination game, and with the third spot in the final four on the line, UST bowed down to NU with a score of 73-49.

In a game where you expect them to go all out, it just wasn't enough. The loss of big man Karim Abdul for this game due to his suspension for two unsportsmanlike fouls was greatly felt as UST just couldn't convert on the inside. Jeric Teng was still Jeric Teng as he scored 19 for the Tigers, the only one who scored in double-digits. Jeric Fortuna was held to 8 points, as rookie Kevin Ferrer was a non-factor in this game with just a single point. Chris Camus could have been a huge help but after he got that technical foul for trashtalking with Javillonar, he was not fielded in anymore, but still managed to finish with 5 points. It could have been a disciplinary action, or to rest his injured hamstring, or both, but I think he should've been given more minutes.

UST didn't get to take the lead away from the Bulldogs as Bobby Ray Parks made shot after shot, even the most impossible shot of them all to highlight his MVP performance. And the other Bulldogs just followed suit. Emmanuel Mbe didn't have much of a hard time against Paolo Pe or Kent Lao or Aljohn Ungria. To make matters even worse, Paolo Pe fouled out early in the third, making Coach Pido use Lao or Ungria at the middle.

Halftime score was 29-25. There was hope. But it didn't materialize as NU just went into full attack mode in the second half. I felt like UST was outrebounded as well, NU outhustled them. Parang nagkagulo na rin sa rotation ng players. Obviously they tried their best. But it wasn't good enough. Parang ang aga nila napagod. Everything that could've gone wrong was in this game. Hopefully maiwan na lahat ng mali sa game na 'to, because we need to be near 100% for Thursday's game.

Forget the eliminations. We're in the FINAL FOUR. PUSH!!

Not a lot of people are giving UST a chance to win on Thursday. Yes, it is a tall order for UST to beat Ateneo, as the Tigers were not even able to score a win against the Blue Eagles in the elimination rounds. Tambak pa in both games. But, it does not mean that they can't. It is going to be tough, the toughest game UST will be playing since the season has started. Hard work pays off. Do your best, and God will do the rest. Both teams are coming from losses, and I bet the team who wants it more should be able to win this game. All out. All heart.

Of course I am for the Tigers, and I know that they can at least extend this final four match up 'til Sunday once they believe in themselves that they can beat Ateneo. I want to see our Growling Tigers prove to everyone that we are true final four contenders. That we can match up even with the Blue Eagles. That we are no pushovers, and that we can surprise them. I read this from an article, and I'm using it here. ONE BIG BITE. ONE BIG BITE for the BLACK GOLD, BLACK WHITE! :) (oooooops. walang nakawan. hahaha!) Laban lang Tigers, andito na tayo e, sulitin na natin. Win or lose, we cheer go USTe! :)

P.S.
Oo super affected ako dun sa game last Sunday. Na-sad ako. It was a game we could've won din naman. Medyo nainis pa ko kay Coach Pido kasi nga hindi pinapasok si Camus. He could've been a great help. Oh well, time to move on. :))


Oh, and UST in the Final Four means Coach Pido won't resign. =D C'mon you guys, he's not a bad coach.


Parang nasa F ang kapalaran ng UST e. Ferrer. Fortuna. Fourth. Final Four. Four Hundred Years. Finals. First place. Pwede 'no? =))

UST won against Adamson last Saturday, 74-58, to further solidify their final four chances.
Just one more win, and they're in.
Their last two assignments are against FEU on Thursday, and against NU on Sunday. Then, we'll see.

Just like their first round meeting, Adamson made an early run at the start of the first quarter to lead UST, 9-0. Karim Abdul was the lone bright spot for UST in the first quarter as it ended with the Falcons ahead, 20-12. Adamson would then continue their hot shooting streak, and manage to lead by as big as 17 points in the second quarter, as UST just couldn't convert. Adamson was shooting three's, while UST was losing the ball. The Falcons enjoyed a 15-point lead, 42-27, at halftime.

It looked like it was going to be a blowout especially as to how Adamson's shooters kept on making their shots, and how UST was just sloppy. But things were about to make a huge turnaround. UST upped their defense and made their own run early in the third quarter, led by no other than Jeric Teng, to make it just a 7-point deficit. Jeric Fortuna joined in the party to put UST to within a point, before Eric Camson's putback gave Adamson a 3-point advantage. With the shot clock winding down, Teng found Fortuna as the latter hit a game-tier three pointer, to be followed by Teng's own three pointer to put UST up, 48-45. Adamson was still able to tie the game at 50-all, but a layup by Chris Camus put UST ahead again by two points, as the buzzer to signal the end of the third quarter sounded off.

UST never looked back from there. The Tigers got their cue from the captain himself as Fortuna led a huge UST rally in the fourth, to put UST at 61-52, with 6 minutes left. Lester Alvarez was fouled while attempting a triple, and put Adamson to within six as he made all of his freebies. But UST's shooters continued to convert in all their shots, as Teng and rookie Kevin Ferrer added their own three-pointers, which gave UST an 18-point lead, with only almost 2 minutes to go in the ballgame. Adamson only scored 16 points in the entire second half.

Jeric Teng led the other Tigers in terms of scoring as he made 20 points, 8 rebounds, and six assists. Jeric Fortuna had 15 points and 5 assists, while Karim Abdul and Chris Camus both had double double figures with 15 points/14 rebounds, and 13 points/11 rebounds, respectively. Kim Lo should also be given credit as he had some really important defensive stops as well during the game which helped UST make that run. It was just pure team effort from the Tigers that day, as they dedicated the win to Coach Pido Jarencio who's celebrating his birthday today, and to teammate Carmelo Afuang who sidelined the game due to gallbladder stones and won't be able to play for three weeks more.

This was a HUGE win for the Tigers, as it not only took them one win closer to entering the final four, but it also serves as a big morale booster for the team. They limited Adamson to just 16 points in the entire second half; but UST shouldn't always let themselves play catch up because that would be too risky. UST also still has a chance to tie Adamson at the no.2 spot, that is if UST wins their last two games, and if Adamson loses to Ateneo on Saturday. And if FEU wins against DLSU, then there will be a three-way tie at the no.2 spot. As for DLSU, if they sweep their remaining two games, and UST loses their remaining two games, then there will be a tie for fourth. But a loss will automatically eliminate DLSU.

I have nothing but hopes and prayers for the Tigers' continuous success. Sana, we'll be able to see another great game such as this one for the Tigers. Humble in victory, and gracious in defeat. It's a tougher road ahead, but we're still on the right track. Let's go Tigers, we can do this! Tuloy tuloy na talaga, wala nang balikan, walang bibitaw! :)) NEVER SAY DIE! BELIEVE! Go USTe! Go Tigers!! :)

P.S.
Sabi sa inyo manuod kasi kayo ng live. Ang saya saya magtatatalon at mag-cheer sa Araneta. Tapos magpa-picture kasama nila after, boo-yah! :))))