think rainbows

Sunday was a very basketball-filled day. And the games were pretty interesting, and intense. There was the UAAP games between UST and UP, and then FEU and Ateneo. Then there was game 1 of the PBA Finals. And there was also the game between Smart Gilas and Iran for the Jones Cup.

I only had the UAAP on my list originally, but once I got home, the basketball-watching just continued. Hangover I guess? Not that I'm complaining din naman. :)

So talking about the UST-UP game, I am so happy that UST won that game. I was nervous at how the game will turn out since UP just came from a huge win against FEU, while UST on the other hand was on a three game losing skid. Momentum could be with UP, but I know UST's just roaring to win again and they have to, so I was expecting that they're going all out. First few minutes was still close; Jeric Teng was piling up points for UST, while UP just had no answer. At the end of the first quarter, Jeric Teng sprained his ankle, sidelining him for the rest of the game. (They said it's just a minor injury so he'll be able to play on Thursday.) But that didn't even bother the Tigers as they continued what Teng had started, spearheaded by the captain Jeric Fortuna, as UP's shooting woes continued.


Even UP's starters were a non-factor as no Fighting Maroon was able to score in double digist for UP. Credit to UST's defense and to the game plan Coach Pido had laid out and to the players who just never gave up. Good job! It was a very low scoring game; UST was on top at 25-17 during halftime, then the game eventually ended with the score at 68-49, UST's biggest winning margin so far. UST's now in a tie with Lasalle at 3-3, their game's set on Thursday, last eliminations game for round 1.

I didn't expect that huge crowd to watch the FEU-Ateneo game. I probably forgot for a bit there that this was the finals match-up for season 73. The mood inside the coliseum was very high and we were all hoping for a great game. (and probably for an Ateneo loss) We got that during the first two quarters, but Ateneo didn't like it so they started their run in the third quarter. They slowly pulled away from FEU, as FEU suddenly just couldn't catch up. Even calls were going Ateneo's way. Romeo was called for a personal on Monfort, and then a technical for questioning the call, and then as if things weren't worse enough, Coach Bert Flores was also called for a technical. Monfort sank in three out of the four free throws. After Kirk Long hits a three pointer, Escoto was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Greg Slaughter, prompting for two more free throws. Kirk Long would then hit a three pointer again, and that was just it; Kuya and I didn't even finish the game anymore, we went out with two minutes left on the clock. Ateneo obviously won, swept the first round of eliminations and remained undefeated, 69-49.

If only it was Saturday, we would have watched the PBA right after the UAAP. We only got to catch it once we got home. It was Petron vs. Talk n Text, game 1. I'm not actually rooting for any team in particular, but if you'd have me choose, I'd choose Petron. Talk n Text led early in the game and I though it was going to be a blow out win for them already. But then, come fourth quarter, Petron was able to cut the lead. I believe it was only a two point lead with under 1 minute left in the game. Then Danny I gets a steal, and goes all the way for a lay up, 87-86 Petron with less than 30 seconds left in the game. Talk n Text would then score, 87-88, with 10.1 seconds left in the game. Petron has the ball, the clock is winding down, the ball is passed to Danny Ildefonso as he hits the buzzer beating winning shot, 89-88! Talk n Text was stunned as Petron celebrated as if they already won the championship. Interestingly, Talk n Text has never won against Petron.

We were also able to catch the game between Smart Gilas and chinese Taipei on ESPN. Smart Gilas won here, 90-78 after an awesome game. They went up 2-0 but unfortunately, Jordan gave Gilas their first defeat yesterday, 76-72. Today, at 3pm, Gilas faces Malaysia, then tomorrow, they face unbeaten Korea. Go Smart Gilas! :)

'Twas a pretty awesome day for basketball. (Just not quite sure with the Ateneo-FEU match, lol.) I hope this week it will be again. UST needs to win on Thursday against Lasalle, and on their other games for the second round, so that they could make it to the final four! I know it's every team's target, so everyone needs to step up, and the Tigers have to work doubly hard for it. This is the most exciting part of UAAP men's basketball, but it also means it's nearing its end, and I don't like that. :))

Exciting days ahead!