I'm taking a short break from posting here at Bilog Ang Bola. Would have to prepare my students for our first competition this school year, the 2010 District III Secondary Schools Press Conference on Wednesday at Carlos P. Garcia High School.
So please bear with me and please pray for my students. We are aiming for a top three slot in this year's tilt.
When I go back online on Thursday, I would shower you with posts. :)
I'm working on the following stories:
* Our varsity team's dismal stint at the QCAA
* My NBA August experience
* A Draft Report Card for each PBA Team
* My UAAP Final Four placing predictions
* A story on two UAAP courtside reporters
Please keep visiting! Thanks!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
NBA: Ano raw? #4
Ano raw?
(Over) heard by Josiah Israel Albelda
28 August 2010
The Triggerman put on a shooting clinic last night, connecting on 14 of his 26 triples en route to 54 points and his Red team's 177 - 167 victory over White. The entire Araneta Coliseum crowd was on its feet every time Allan Caidic launched his trifecta attempts. And NBA legends Glen Rice and Gary Payton were major major fans themselves.
#3 "Parang may sakit yung mascot ng KFC. Dapat lutuin na yan." - a fan behind me chuckled when a lethargic Chuckie was drubbed by Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot, in their dance showdown.
#2 "Di na makayuko e. Haha. Ayan parang hihimatayin na." - another fan after Atoy Co missed his fifth consecutive shot. He finished with 10 points on five-of-21 shooting. At 59, the Fortune Cookie was able to run up and down for 13 minutes.
#1 "Trigger! I'm all about Trigger right now!" - Glen Rice proclaimed after seeing Caidic show the devastating form that made him the greatest shooter in Philippine basketball history.
#0.5 "But there's only one thing I could say now: Trigger! Trigger! Trigger!" - Rice, obviously enamoured, told reporters.
#0.25 "He's the truth." - Gary Payton said on Caidic's reputation of being a deadly long-range bomber.
#0 "Ayun maghahagis ng sapatos! Takbo! Takbo!" - a fan screamed when former PBA import and retiring D-Leaguer Richie Frahm threw his shoes to the stands.
Video #3: John Wall got served
Served
By Josiah Israel Albelda
Video from Balls is Life
Find more videos like this on BALL IS LIFE
Blog Survey #2: Al-Hussaini, Espiritu, Baclao to be taken first three in PBA draft
Rabeh to be PBA's top draft pick
By Josiah Israel Albelda
Photos from Google Images
27 August 2010
With Air21 sorely lacking in ceiling in the coming PBA wars, Bilog ang Bola readers say that the Express will take the three best big men from college in Sunday's Draft at the Market! Market!
Former UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo collected 23 out of 24 votes (95%) to top the week-long survey posted here.
The six-foot-six slotman is also expected by pundits to be the top pick in the annual selection of rookies.
His Season 72 finals foe, the high-flying Elmer Espiritu, came in second with 14 votes (58%) while Al-Hussaini's frontcourt partner, Nonoy Baclao was third with 13 votes (54%).
While three ex-UAAP stars rounded up the top three vote-getters, former NCAA stalwarts occupied slots four to six.
San Sebastian's prolific scorer Jimbo Aquino got six votes (25%), last season's MVP John Wilson of Jose Rizal University had five (20%) and Letran's sharpshooting RJ Jazul finished with three (12%).
Borgie Hermida (San Beda), Pari Llagas (UE) and Rey Guevarra (Letran) had one vote (4%) each. Arellano's Gio Ciriacruz did not get any vote.
This week's survey would be on which team will top the elimination round of the UAAP.
NBA: Trigger, trigger, trigger
Triggerman Explosion
By Josiah Israel Albelda
27 August 2010
The 47-year-old "Triggerman" led all scorers with 54 points in only 24 minutes as he and former NBA All-Stars Glen Rice and Gary Payton broke away early in the final quarter to post the victory over the quintet of Chris Webber and Mitch Richmond.
Ex-Crispa Redmanizer Atoy Co also stole the show with his on-court antics. He finished with 10 points on five-of-21 shooting.
(Full game story tomorrow)
The scores:
Red (177) - Caidic 54, Lazare 22, Rice 19, Santos 16, Meneses 16, Maierhofer 15, McCray 11, Co 10, Tenorio 7, Payton 7
White (167) - Frahm 24, Webber 24, Tyndale 22, Hontiveros 20, Paras 18, Magsanoc 16, Patrimonio 16, Richmond 16, Tubid 13
Quarterscores: 38 - 44; 92 - 94; 124 - 124; 177 - 167
Thursday, August 26, 2010
UAAP: Easter Thursday
Easter Thursday
Warriors ground out-of-sync Eagles
Warriors ground out-of-sync Eagles
By Josiah Israel Albelda
26 August 2010
Given up for dead after a dismal start, University of the East breathed life into its sagging campaign, slaying another giant in Ateneo de Manila University, 62 - 60, at the Araneta Coliseum Thursday.
Sharpshooting guard James Martinez connected on four three-pointers in the fourth quarter - including a dagger with under two minutes left - to send the Red Warriors to their second straight victory in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament.
The Recto-based squad thus improved to four wins in 11 matches, only a week after stunning second-running Adamson University last Saturday.
Likewise, the victory kept UE alive in its bid to snatch the last Final Four spot from idle De La Salle University.
"I can compare this game to Easter Sunday," Coach Lawrence Chongson told reporters. "This is like a resurrection for us."
"We are playing like there's no tomorrow."
The Red Warriors kept the game close all throughout before hitting the baskets when they mattered most to send the Blue Eagles crashing back to earth following a demolition of their rivals last Sunday.
Martinez, Adrian Santos and Paul Lee conspired as UE dropped a 7 - 0 blast to start the final period and tie the game at 45 apiece.
Both squads traded baskets before the six-foot Martinez drained back-to-back treys to push the Red Warriors up, 56 - 50.
"Hinahanap talaga ako ng mga kakampi ko kaya naging open ako," the guard, coming back from an ACL injury that derailed him last season, said.
UE seemed to break away but the Blue Eagles came back, delivering their own 7 - 0 run capped by an Erik Salamat triple with a little over two minutes remaining.
Lee, who struggled for nine points on three-of-15 shooting, then sank two free throws before Martinez finished the Katipunan-based squad off with a desperation heave.
"Wala ng nangyayari nun, so tinira ko na," he added. "Buti pumasok."
Ateneo played without the vim and vigor it showed when it dismantled De La Salle, 74 - 57, last weekend and was held to an atrocious 27.7% shooting.
The Blue Eagles and Coach Norman Black complained a million times about what they saw as bum calls and were obviously out of focus the whole match.
On the other hand, Chongson viewed this game as their biggest of the season - and his boys were up to the task.
"Right now, we can still enter the Final Four," he shared. "We have to take care of what we can take of and God will do the rest."
Martinez finished with 22 points on six-of-10 three-point shooting while improving center Ezer Rosopa added 12 markers, eight boards and a career-high four blocked shots.
Meanwhile, Salamat led the Blue and White with 16 points while burly slotman Jumbo Escueta had his best game with 10 points, all in the first half.
The scores:
UE (62) - Martinez 22, Rosopa 12, Lee 9, Acibar 7, Reyes 6, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Zamar 0, Sumido 0, Duran 0
Ateneo (60) - Salamat 16, Escueta 10, Monfort 9, Chua 9, Buenafe 5, Long 4, Dela Cruz 3, Tiongson 2, Golla 2, Salva 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0
Quarterscores: 10 - 8; 27 - 27; 38 - 45; 62 - 60
UAAP: Ano raw? #3
Ano raw?
(Over) heard by Josiah Israel Albelda
26 August 2010
Photo from Beautiful Times
#3 "Lolo hindi mo nakita! Hindi mo nakita!" - a hysteric TV starlet and former UP volleybelle Jed Montero shouted at (probably) her grandfather after boyfriend and UE hotshot James Martinez drained a triple that put the Red Warriors ahead, 61-57 with one minute and 46 seconds left.
#2 "Hoy referee! G**o! G**o ka!!!" - an Ateneo fan blurted when the refs didn't call a foul on a blocked Jumbo Escueta attempt.
#3 I forgot the exact words but UAAP analyst Boom Gonzales said "major major" during his opening spiel with Mark Molina.
Seems that there is a major major problem with our commentators now.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
NBA: Sinong papalag?
Sinong Papalag?
Key match-ups in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge
By Josiah Israel Albelda
Photos from Google Images
24 August 2010
Point Guard Advantage: Red
Gary Payton vs. Ronnie Magsanoc
Shooting Guard Advantage: White
Allan Caidic vs. Mitch Richmond
Small Forward Advantage: Red
Arwind Santos vs. Alvin Patrimonio
Power Forward Advantage: White
Glen Rice vs. Rico Maierhofer
Center Advantage: White
Chris Webber vs. Mitch Richmond
NBA: Asia Challenge rosters
Red Team
Gary Payton (G 6'4" 180 lbs.)
Glen Rice (F 6'7" 215 lbs.)
Darnell Lazare (F 6'8" 240 lbs.)
Chris McCray (G 6'5" 192 lbs.)
Atoy Co (G/F 6'2" 180 lbs.)
Vergel Meneses (F 6'3" 190 lbs.)
Allan Caidic (F 6'2" 185 lbs.)
Asi Taulava (C 6'9" 250 lbs.)
LA Tenorio (G 5'8" 165 lbs.)
Arwind Santos (F 6'4" 175 lbs.)
Bilog's First Five: PG Payton, SG Caidic, SF Santos, PF Rice, C Taulava
White Team
Chris Webber (F 6'10" 245 lbs.)
Mitch Richmond (G 6''5" 215 lbs.)
Mark Tyndale (G/F 6'5" 210 lbs.)
Richie Frahm (G 6'5" 205 lbs.)
Alvin Patrimonio (F 6'3" 215 lbs.)
Benjie Paras (F/C 6'5" 215 lbs.)
Ronnie Magsanoc (G 5'9" 180 lbs.)
Ronald Tubid (G 6'1" 180 lbs.)
Rico Maierhofer (F 6'6" 175 lbs.)
Dondon Hontiveros (G 6'2" 180 lbs.)
Bilog's First Five: PG Magsanoc, SG Richmond, SF Patrimonio, PF Maierhofer, C Webber
NBA: Legends out to strutt stuff before Pinoys
NBA Asia Challenge
NBA Legends out to strut stuff before Pinoys
By Josiah Israel Albelda
24 August 2010
One by one, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Chris Webber and Gary Payton stepped into the Fiesta San Miguel mezzanine at the Dusit Thani, smiling and waving to the applause of the starstruck (some will probably say they weren't) Philippine media.
Perhaps unmindful of the carnage that gripped the country last night, these four NBA legends are surely having a heck of a time here.
And they are to give us more.
The Fab Four, who boast of three championship rings, 23 All-Star appearances and 19 All-NBA team selections among them, will strut their stuff Friday in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge at the Araneta Coliseum.
The quartet will be playing with six PBA legends, six current PBA stars and four NBA D-Leaguers, including former Talk N' Text import Richie Frahm.
Joining the cagers in this trip presented by KFC and Petron Turbo Diesel are six Miami Heat Dancers and Burnie, the team's mascot.
All four are excited about showing their skills in front of thousands of fans in this basketball-crazy nation and have assured that they will give their best to entertain Filipinos on August 27.
"Maybe I am expected to dunk," Webber said. "We'll see if I can do that."
Meralco assistant coach and legendary point guard Ronnie Magsanoc himself cannot hide his anticipation, repeatedly saying that he once dreamed of playing with these stars and it is now a reality.
As a matter of fact, he will welcome whatever Payton does to him - even if it will cost his limbs.
"Whatever Gary Payton does to me, I will welcome," Magsanoc told reporters, who broke into laughter."
(More on the NBA Asia Challenge in the next few days.)
Note: Frahm, who has since suited up for five NBA teams, said he is back for unfinished business. He, together with American coach Bill Bayno and Asi Taulava, was booted out in the first round of the 2002 PBA wars after topping the eliminations.
Monday, August 23, 2010
UAAP: Falcon Flowers
Falcon Flowers
Adamson die-hards share their story
By Josiah Israel Albelda
23 August 2010
Late in the third quarter of their game against De La Salle, Adamson forward Jan Colina skied high to block Luigi dela Paz. Colina was quite successful, erasing the rookie's layup attempt and earning screams from the crowd.
Then came a whistle. There was a foul.
Hector Tabuzo, waving his shiny blue Jan Colina streamer, ran amuck and threw invectives at the referee. "Ayusin mo tawag mo ref! Ayusin mooooooo!" he screamed as he lunged through the steel fence separating the playing court from the ringside seats.
Not a few eyes were fixed on this gay man, who has been doing this for the past seven seasons.
Behind him was Teddy, a chubby "lass" with spiked hair and a face reddened by whitening soap. He was echoing the same thing: "Ayusin mo tawag mo ref!"
Hector and Teddy might be a couple of big reasons why the Adamson Falcons have soared beyond expectations in the first round of Season 73 of the UAAP men's basketball tournament.
Their courtside antics, which draw the ire of opposing fans and the support of the Adamson faithful, have added spice to the already flavorful world of UAAP hoops.
"Go Adamson! Fight! Fight! Fight!" the duo screamed as the Falcons inched closer to the Green Archers.
'Mababait sila'
Many may wonder why these people shout, scream and dance their hearts out for the San Marcelino squad. Hector, according to Teddy, has a day job at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology while the latter maintains a small eatery with his sister.
"Mababait sila at magagaling," said Hector, who has been cheering for the team since Season 66. Teddy shared the same sentiment. "Kahit sa amin, mabait sila."
This kindness might have been the very reason why the two go all out every time Adamson has a game. They are the epitomes of energy, endlessly jumping, gyrating and, sometimes, even rolling on the floor for their beloved team.
As a matter of fact, the two have been so immersed in the Falcons' lair that Hector was given his own UAAP ID, usually reserved for athletics officials, the media and the league's sponsors.
Hector, also an irrepressible Alaska fan, said that he was tagged along by former head coach Luigi Trillo, who is now an assistant to Leo Austria, after Trillo saw his dedication as an Aces diehard.
A bright future
For all the woes that Adamson has gone through -- a string of Final Four misses and scores of losses -- over the past few years, Hector and Teddy see a bright future for the Falcons.
"I believe that we can go through all the way to the finals," Teddy proudly exclaimed. "Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina and Lester Alvarez are all great players."
Hector also envisions nothing short of a Final Four appearance for this stacked squad. "Sigurado na kami sa Final Four. And of course, I think we could go all the way."
On the court, Alvarez drained a trey. The Falcons slowly took the driver's seat and never relinquished it. Adamson streaked to its fifth win, good for second in a tournament where they were not one of the favorites.
I turned around. There they were, waving their Lester Alvarez streamer and gyrating to the beat of the Adamson Pep Squad, in seventh heaven because of yet another win.
"Go Adamson! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
As fans slowly walked out of the PhilSports Arena on a rainy Sunday afternoon, someone shouted at Hector: "Hector! Panalo ka na naman."
The Falcon Flower just laughed, looked at his partner Teddy, and proceeded to the Adamson dugout.
It's party time.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
UAAP: Ano raw? #2
Ano raw?
23 August 2010
(Over) heard by Josiah Israel Albelda
Photo from spot.ph
#2 "Mga bakla! Mga pangit! Mga supot!" - a La Salle fan at the Lower Box section shouted when the Blue Babble Battalion delivered its halftime routine during the Ateneo-La Salle tussle yesterday.
#1 "Mga sexy!" - the same Archer fan screamed when cheerdancers from La Salle's Animo Squad jumped their way into the court. He added a toot of his vuvuzela for good measure.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
UAAP: Ramos rediscovers sharp form, Acibar is a monster
Acibar is a monster;
Ramos rediscovers sharp form
By Josiah Israel Albelda
21 August 2010
After posting career-highs of 18 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks in a loss to league-leading Far Eastern last week, Ken Acibar showed how he can dominate anew, scoring 15 markers, hauling down 16 rebounds (seven of which are offensive) and blocking four shots as the University of the East sent Adamson crashing back to earth with a 71 - 63 upset earlier today at the Philsports Arena.
The six-foot-five Acibar drained six of his 14 shots and was most efficient player on the court (21). The only knock I see on this guy's game is that he takes too many perimeter shots. Acibar is lanky and quick on his feet, thus, he might have a higher shot percentage (a respectable 43.1% in the first round) if he decides to drive hard to the hoop.
Likewise, he commits a lot of turnovers. After averaging 1.7 turnovers in the first round (second only to Paul Lee's team and league-worst 3.7), Acibar had six turnovers in this match.
Smart Gilas national developmental team standout Aldrech Ramos, meanwhile, displayed the deadly form that earned him raves last season, where he placed second in the Most Valuable Player.
Playing under the radar for the first eight games, Ramos exploded in their 76 - 67 victory over the toothless Santo Tomas. The six-foot-seven center had 21 points, 15 rebounds (seven of which are offensive), six assists and two blocked shots.
With this awesome performance (he also shot 10-of-14 from two-point range), Ramos built a strong case for his own MVP run. At the end of the first round, he was actually third in the race, having a total 58.43 SPs.
Teammate Ryan Roose Garcia led with 64.71 SPs while King Warrior Paul Lee had 60.29 SPs.
What's good for the Tamaraws is that Ramos is just heating up, still trying to fit in Coach Glenn Capacio's new system after being with Smart Gilas for seven months.
"Nahirapan pa talaga ako mag adjust sa bagong system namin," he said.
And with this comes a warning that the rest of the UAAP land should be careful because a loose Tamaraw is on the prowl. ###
Friday, August 20, 2010
Video #2: Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation
21 August 2010
Watch how UAAP "foreigners" say some tongue-twisting words in Tagalog. Mike Silungan, Emmanuel Mbe, Kirk Long, Will Stinnett and Moriah Gingerich, sino ang pinaka kagilagilalas?
Mav is one of my co-correspondents at Yahoo! College Hoops. I was there when we shot the videos with Mbe and Stinnett.
Bilog Survey #1: UP, di na mananalo
The Fighting Maroons are in dire need of help.
Photo by GM Tan of maroonsbasketball.com
Bilog Survey #1
UP to finish Season 73 winless
By Josiah Israel Albelda
20 August 2010
Almost half of Bilog ang Bola readers do not see a win coming for my hapless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Nine out of the 22 votes (40%) cast in the week-long poll at Bilog ang Bola said that UP will not beat anybody this year, a dour forecast for a team dubbed by many pundits as a dark horse before Season 73 began.
The poll started before the second round, with the Maroons toting a 0-7 record. They have since dropped two straight - in blowout fashion - to Ateneo and La Salle.
UP's friends at the cellar, National University (interestingly, their opponent this Sunday) and University of the East got four (18%) votes each while University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University were chosen twice (9%).
One said that the Maroons will shock front-running Far Eastern University while none thought of UP trimming Adamson University.
This week's poll will be on who the top three picks of the 2010 PBA Rookie Draft will be.
PBA: Captain Hook to sail with Meralco
Captain Hook set to sail with Meralco
Air 21 now has 1st, 2nd, 3rd picks in 2010 Draft
By Josiah Israel Albelda
20 August 2010
I hope Mac Cardona doesn't bring his penchant for court scuffles with him to Meralco.
After getting stripped barren due to lopsided trades over the past few seasons, the Meralco (Jumpers) franchise is starting to build from the rubble.
It was less than a month ago since the sale of the former Sta. Lucia franchise was finalized and the team owned by basketball godfather Manny V. Pangilinan is already making its presence felt in the big league, signing three-time champion coach Ryan Gregorio, who tagged assistant Ronnie Magsanoc along with him.
The deal gives Gregorio (supposedly) a guaranteed five-year contract that will hand him the coaching reins of the Meralco squad while also being the head of the company's basketball operations.
Now, the (Jumpers) have acquired Talk N' Text scoring machine Mac Mac Cardona in a three-team deal that also involved Air 21.
Sinong napunta saan?
Air 21 Express - Josh Urbiztondo and 3rd pick in the 2010 Draft (from Meralco)
Meralco (Jumpers) - Mac Mac Cardona (from Talk N' Text)
Talk N' Text Tropang Texters - 4th pick in the 2010 Draft (from Air 21)
In essence, Meralco got Cardona for the 4th pick in next week's Rookie Draft.
Extra
Some notable draft prospects: RJ Jazul, Jimbo Aquino, John Wilson, Pari Llagas, Elmer Espiritu, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, Giorgio Ciriacruz, Borgie Hermida, Rey Guevarra
Thursday, August 19, 2010
UAAP: Crippled
Crippled
Lopez' high-flying acts gone - for now
By Josiah Israel Albelda
19 August 2010
Mark Lopez is one of the few UP players I like. Although he has been having problems manning the point for the disgruntled, demoralized and distracted Maroons, the athletic Lopez has always been there to sky high for rebounds and dive for loose balls.
Earlier today, the six-foot-two wingman suffered what apparently was a torn ACL in his right knee after a fall in UP's game against host De La Salle. After colliding with Archer rookie Jarelan Tampus in midair, Lopez landed, fell down and pointed in his knee as he helplessly sought for salvation.
He was brought out of the court in a stretcher with his right knee in heavy braces.
Adding insult to injury was the loss of team captain Woody Co early in the fourth quarter due to an ankle sprain. Co landed awkwardly after a shot attempt and grimaced in pain. Even after getting his ankle wrapped in ice, the forward was still writhing in agony, obviously affected by what has happened to him.
With these two "developments," UP's once-promising season is quickly and surely descending into a wasted year. With no wins to show after nine games, the Maroons are in danger of equaling their infamous 0 - 14 Season 70.
UAAP: Experience, maturity, keys in Blue and Green rematch
Tenorio, Ritualo speak up
Ateneo experience, La Salle maturity keys in Blue and Green rematch
By Josiah Israel Albelda
19 August 2010
Note: This story will appear in tomorrow's issue of Inquirer Libre. Grab one ha. :)
When De La Salle pulled a victory from under the rug of Ateneo de Manila less than a month ago, not a few were surprised with how the Green Archers showed endgame nerves totally absent last season.
Sophomore Samuel Marata drained two triples in the waning minutes and rookie Jarelan Tampus showed hustle enough to get Coach Dindo Pumaren say "He was the difference" to power the Taft-based crew to a mighty come-from-behind win.
So when the archrivals meet again this Sunday, the maturity of Pumaren's boys would be some sort of a gauge on who will take Game 2 of the Season 73 series.
On the other hand, the emergence of skipper Erik Salamat as a complete weapon and the Blue Eagles' veteran experience would surely be a cause of concern for the hosts, who will try to strengthen their stranglehold on a Final Four spot.
These views come from two distinctive alumni from both the Blue and Green. Two cagers who know what it takes to give pride to one's Alma Mater.
According to ex-Ateneo playmaker and PBA superstar LA Tenorio, the Katipunan-based quintet had a harder time in the first game because of La Salle's maturity.
"Nag mature talaga sila," said the newly-minted PBA co-Finals MVP and Mythical Team member. "Hindi sila bumigay kahit nung malaki ang lamang in the last two minutes."
"They're hungry because of what happened last season," former La Salle gunner Ren Ren Ritualo told Bilog ang Bola. "They are surprising everyone - maybe even themselves - with how they are performing."
And while the Blue Eagles' meltdown was so surprising, someone from the Blue side thinks that anything like that won't happen anytime soon.
"These guys have championship experience," shared Coach Norman Black. "I don't think they will just roll over and die after this (loss to La Salle.)"
Ritualo couldn't agree more: "Ateneo has veterans and championship experience. Alam nila kung anong gagawin sa tamang lugar, sa tamang oras. That will be their advantage."
Like no other
Nothing in the history of Philippine college basketball could compare to what the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry has become.
Games between both squads have not only been hoops spectacles but high-society gatherings of sorts, with politicians, government officials, tycoons and celebrities filling the seats at the Araneta Coliseum to cheer for their schools.
"I just can't explain kung bakit ganito kalaki yung rivalry," Tenorio said. "Iba talaga e. Iba yung approach ng parehong team pag Ateneo-La Salle talaga. Maybe it's all about pride."
"Maganda yung rivalry," added Ritualo. "Teams come to play hard and try to outdo each other with their best shots."
Tenorio and Ritualo know this so much. Ritualo, for one, was the most vital cog of La Salle's four-peat championship teams from 1998 to 2001 and has his jersey #4 the only retired one in Green Archer history.
Who will win it?
"I think Ateneo," Tenorio said without hesitation. "Nakukuha na ni Erik Salamat yung game niya and Nico Salva is doing a good job. We just have to break the press and play consistently the whole 40 minutes para makabawi."
"Syempre La Salle," answered Ritualo. "Yung hustle, teamwork and system - tatak na ng La Salle talaga. Nagbago man yung coach, Pumaren pa rin yan. Pareho lang."
Two days from now, the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers lock horns not only for school pride but more importantly, for position in the UAAP team standings.
The archenemies are currently third and fourth in the rankings and a win will give them a bigger chance of snatching the top two spots at the end of the elimination round.
So it's time to throw all of the statistics, history and scouting work away because when Ateneo and La Salle meet again, all hell will break loose. ###
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
My Sports: Kowts
Kowts
It's me designing a play for the Yellow Wolves at our JCA Sports Festival.
I wasn't this team's coach when the tournament started yesterday but with the Wolves down big early in the fourth quarter of their match against the Green Archers, I took it upon myself and volunteered my "services" to this embattled five.
Green took their biggest lead of the ball game at 48 - 34 with around six minutes left in the final canto.The Wolves made a huge run, with the play I was designing when the picture was taken supposed to give us back the lead for the first time.
Unfortunately, our point guard succumbed to a triple team, turning the ball over to the Archers, who converted back-to-back baskets that ultimately sealed the doom of the Yellow team.
It was fun trimming down a 14-point lead in less than six minutes. The boys were really fired up. The crowd got going. And well, I felt really good that I was able to help bring these Wolves from the jaws of a rout to a nailbiter.
The loss sent our team to a do-or-die match with the winner of the other game later in the afternoon for the right to face the Green Archers, who have swept their first two matches, in the finals.
Bullet Blue/Red Implosion
Right after lunch, Blue's Clues came from behind to shock the star-studded Red Rose quintet behind the stellar play of one of my Journalism students, Bullet Sarte.
Bullet was awesome (and that could be an understatement.) His team was trailing for the most part and he simply (though what he did wasn't simple at all) willed the Blue squad to victory, slashing through the porous defense of Red and just running from coast-to-coast everytime.
They won, 64 - 63, although Red Rose cagers Emjohn Dalisay (the varsity team captain) and Lester Combalicer (the most versatile and prolific player in the varsity) were obviously disappointed not only with the result but also with the way the game was officiated.
Well, the game's over. I figured out that the Filipino saying "ang pikon, laging talo" applies to this bunch of hoopsters. When Blue was making its run, Dax Paulino committed a couple of errors that earned the ire of both Dalisay and Combalicer.
"Nagkakalat na tayo," shouted Combalicer. True enough, they were imploding.
Bullet and his band of valiant boys marched on to the semifinals with us. In less than two hours, they will be fighting for their lives - against my Yellow Wolves.
Laro na nga, nilalaro pa
The Wolves were jovial, exuding an aura of confidence that they will manhandle the tired and weary Blue's Clues squad. As a matter of fact, they were fooling around during the pre-game shootarounds. They were missing layups from pointblank range and weren't serious at all.
In Pinoy parlance, "laro na nga, nilalaro pa."
Then I remembered what Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale did when big men participants to their mini-camp at the Araneta Coliseum last week missed easy layups: FIVE PUSH-UPS.
The group was shocked when I told them this "policy." But then, when I showed them that I am serious about this, they followed what I said and made sure that easy baskets were going in.
The buzzer sounded. It was game time. I called the team to go in the huddle and gave them some instructions.
A shaky start
There were two reminders: 1) This team is tired. 2) The heart and soul of Blue's Clues is Bullet.
We started with our strongest five but found it hard to break through Blue's defense. At the end of the first quarter, it was 13 - 12, in favor of Blue's Clues.
I thought that it would be nice to let all 12 players who have suited up enter the court. I shuffled the lineup and gave all cagers at least two minutes on the court before halftime.
"Baka naman nilalaro mo lang, sir," said EJ "The Tank" Barrios.
The second quarter ended but we were only down by one. This was a good sign. Mark Palluto, Robert Ramos and Mark Peña - three of Blue's four best players - had three fouls already. It's time to attack.
We kicked off the second half with a sense of urgency. We will go for the kill. Our captain, Steven Nieva, was a daredevil slasher who could both draw a foul and finish.
"Attack the basket," I told them.
They did just what I said with Steven and Jammiele Tulop providing the penetration and EJ and six-foot center Kim Mariñas manning the slot.
We took a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter and continued to slice through the thin but strong Blue wings. We took a step back as Steven committed his fourth foul.
Lockdown
Bullet has been a non-factor in this game. Before the third quarter started, I told the team that we would be employing mainly man-to-man defense for the second half. There will be instances when we would be using the switching 2 - 3 zone but it was mainly one-on-one, body-to-body.
I tasked Jason Loresto and Jul Martin to shut Bullet down, isolate him and prevent him from holding the ball. They were really effective for the most part. His teammates couldn't find him. Every pass was denied and he grew frustrated.
Both Jason and Jul played honest but leech-like defense and that was the catalyst why we were able to have Steven and Jammiele drive to the hoop with ease. That was also the reason why pint-sized Palluto tried to carry the team on his own and went one-on-four.
To cut this uber-long story short, we won the game. 52 - 40. We were the more experienced, the stronger team. Steven was our best player and Kim flexed his muscles and forced his way into the smaller Justin Lavares and Vince Rodriguez.
In hindsight, this was a big victory for us. Emjohn and Lester coached Blue with the hopes of getting back precious pride after their meltdown earlier against - ironically - Blue.
Tomorrow's gonna be big. Green has a twice-to-beat advantage and they will be favored to defend the crown they won last year (with me coaching in the first game of the finals).
The Green Archers know how it is to have their backs against the wall and rise to the occasion. I was with them when they first did that in 2009.
For now, we just have to focus on the goal: Get that title and prove every naysayer wrong.
And Steven, for one, is sure to give his all come game time Wednesday.
"Tignan natin kung sinong ngingiti bukas," he said as he packed his things and left the Seed Dome.
It's time to paint JCA yellow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)