think rainbows

After 7 months or so, I found myself sitting again inside the venue, on the sidelines, waiting for the match to start. It was the opening day for the 2011 Filoil Flying V Preaseason tournament. It was actually my first time to watch a preseason tournament, and what better way to start than with the much-awaited match up between the UAAP and NCAA champs, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the San Beda Red Lions. Followed by my beloved alma mater's team, the UST Growling Tigers going up against the DLSU Green Archers.

I was very excited for this day because of a number of reasons. First, because I get to watch college basketball again even if it's not the UAAP season yet, second because I get to see the Tigers in action again, and third, I get to check out their new recruits and how different they are from the Tigers last season. I get to see the other teams' recruits as well and what we could expect from them come the UAAP season.

And so the games started. The venue was packed with people wearing red and blue shirts eagerly waiting for the tip off. Cheers erupted whenever the prized rookies from both schools were introduced, especially for the one they call 'The Phenom', Kiefer Ravena. Much has been said about this kid and a lot of issues have circulated regarding where he will continue his basketball career. And with this preseason tournament, all questions were finally answered.

San Beda led in the early minutes of the game as they also bannered a new recruit in Nigerian Ola Adeogun, but only for the preseason tournament. He still needs to complete his residency, so we won't be seeing him in action in the NCAA yet. (As to what I've read.) Ateneo would then catch up, and the halftime score ends up with Ateneo in the lead, 41-39. The Blue Eagles continued their rally as the lead went up in double digits, 68-58 at the end of the third quarter. San Beda, probably realizing that they at least need to give the fans the exciting game that they have been expecting, created their own rally as they tied the ballgame at 74-all with 5:16 left in the fourth quarter courtesy of a Melo Lim triple. But the tandem of Ravena and fellow newbie Greg Slaughter had other things in mind. They combined for Ateneo's 14 of the last 17 points to help the Blue Eagles win the game at 90-87. Kiefer Ravena was named Best Player of the Game with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

During the last UAAP season's opening day, UST won their match against UE; and now during the Filoil tounrament's opening day, they won their match against DLSU. Call it opening day luck, I am very happy with UST's awesome win yesterday. I was pretty nervous with how the game will turn out because of all the things I've been reading about the Green Archers, but was excited with how UST will play with their new recruits especially with UAAP Jrs. MVP Kevin Ferrer. And the Tigers didn't disappoint, well at least for me. And I'm pretty sure Lasalle did, especially for their fans.

Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista lived up to where UST was known, their three-point shooting. Also helping out was the former Tiger Cub Kevin Ferrer who shot the biggest three pointer of them all, giving UST a 73-65 lead in the dying minutes of the game. It was a short stint though for UST's Cameroonian recruit Kareem Abdul as he was plagued by his fouls, fishing his fourth of the game only in the second quarter. He was able to come back in the game in the fourth quarter, but was called for his fifth foul early on. But UST did just well, thanks to those three pointers as well as Melo Afuang's impressive interior plays. (He's really improved!)

Coach Dindo Pumaren's squad was just having a bad day at the office as they were not able to get the lead from the Tigers, but was able to cut it down to two when the Tiger's shooting went sour. Jovet Mendoza, Simon Atkins and Norbert Torres led the Green Archers' 2011 Filoil debut, but it wasn't enough to shoot down the Tigers. UST held on to their lead even if Ferrer and Pe were playing with four fouls, and Bautista fouled out. The Tigers won the game, 79-70, even without key players Jeric Teng, Chris Camus, Aljon Mariano and Ed Daquioag. Carmelo Afuang was named Best Player of the Game finishing with 19 points and 9 rebounds.

All in all it was an awesome opening day, with Ateneo eventually winning against San Beda, and UST surprising with a win against DLSU. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the next games, as well as check out the players and recruits for other teams.

I hope UST continues to surprise everyone and play even better. This preseason tournament is really good indeed for their preparation for the UAAP season. They're not bad at all! Let's bring that opening day luck to all game days! Go Tigers! =D

*side comments lang*
Arnold Van Opstal is weirrrd. Hahaha! And si Kevin Ferrer, whew, buti na lang talaga nag-stay sa UST. Magaling na bata talaga. Si Melo nag-improve talaga! And Kiefer Ravena is called The Phenom for a reason. I am excited for UST's future in basketball. =D Sayang lang si Abdul dapat ingat sa fouls. And that Greg Slaughter dude is one huge guy. Hahaha! I want to watch UST's next weekend game. Aliw ang halftime performance ng Ateneo. =)) Na-miss ko talaga basketball weekends! Oh, at salamat sa mga nakasama ko yesterday. Salamat ulit sa libre, haha. 'Til next time! =))