think rainbows

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? =))