think rainbows

In a game where everyone expected both teams to go all out, one overshadowed the other. Ateneo came out armed, prepared, and ready to defend the title. FEU might have either been caught off guard, or probably succumbed to the pressure they were not used to.

Ateneo was not going to let FEU beat them for three straight games. During the first and second round eliminations, FEU was able to beat Ateneo in two pulsating games which could have gone either way. This time, the Eagles made sure it would be theirs.

The 16,000-strong crowd saw an FEU squad that looked like they weren’t in their usual self. The Tamaraws just couldn’t find the rhythm in the basket that they usually have, while Ateneo started making almost all their shots. Credit goes to Ateneo’s tight defense who limited their opponents to only 49 points the entire game, the lowest output of the Tamaraws for the entire season. Ateneo also outran FEU, getting fastbreak after fastbreak here and there. And Mr.Luck kind of added to the blue side, at the expense of the yellow and green side. So it has just been an amazing game for Ateneo all throughout. (But according to Coach Norman Black, there’s still more that the players could do.)

Glenn Capacio is a good coach, but Norman Black was better this time. Personally, I was shocked with the way FEU played, as shocked as when I saw Kirk Long’s new hairdo and Romeo’s goku-style hair. The whole Ateneo team has peaked at the right time. It felt like every one of the Blue Eagles had a great game, while the FEU players slumped at a very wrong time. I’m sure the Tamaraws have prepared for this, but it obviously wasn’t enough. This isn’t the FEU team that was no.1 in the standings for the whole elimination round.

Will the real Tamaraws please stand up? There are still two games left, and the Tamaraws have to win game 2 to at least give a fight for their finals campaign. UST was one of the teams who lost game 1 of the finals, but still ended up with the championship in 2006. If UST could do it, so could other teams. Both the 2006 championship team of UST and FEU’s team today are first timers in the UAAP finals, and both faced a very talented Ateneo squad. BUT, it will be a tough one for sure. Ateneo will be eyeing for their three-peat title in game 2, and that will be FEU’s biggest challenge. They have to match or even surpass Ateneo’s energy, confidence, break their defense, and play with all heart. They have beaten Ateneo twice already, the same Ateneo team; the only difference is this is the finals. FEU has to learn from their mistakes, prepare themselves physically and emotionally, and play better basketball in game 2. Expect Ateneo to go out all too as well and be aggressive, as they aim for a sweep in this best of three finals. And Escueta will be back in their lineup.
We could at least expect a great game on Thursday. Good luck to both teams!

*I am not totally rooting for FEU, but I don’t want that three-peat for Ateneo. Haha! So c’mon Tamaraws! And Monfort was awarded the Most Improved Player of the season, as RR Garcia was awarded Champ of the Season (from Jollibee) I think. There are probably more awards to be awarded during game 2 of the finals.*