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Streaks Always End at Seven and Franz's Best Play Put to Waste

Winning streaks, that is. Today's game would have secured Ateneo a sure spot at the Final Four. It looked as though it was gonna be a walkthrough because they were going up against UST. UST would be playing for nothing but pride. This looked like this game was gonna be a walk in the park since UST's best player Warren de Guzman sprained his ankle early in the first canto. And Their 2nd best player Danny Pribhdas sat out the game.

The Blue Eagles started the game well by shooting 5 for 9 from the field, and led by as much as seven points (I think). Then UST had to call a timeout since the game was starting to look like another blowout. It proved to be the best timeout called by the Tigers this season. They had an 11-2 run and took the lead for good. They also showed an unusual type of defense by employing a Box1 against LA Tenorio. Ateneo was caught by surprise since it looked like coach Norman had not prepared for such a defensive strategy. As the commentators had said, coaches do not usually prepare for a BOX 1. I think this strategy was put to use since LA got a triple double (15 pts, 12 ast, 11 reb) during their first encounter. The strategy worked all throughout the game as LA shot 1 for 7, with his only shot coming from a fast break layup. He was only able to dish out 3 ast (according to the commentators). But I thought he had more than 3 though, not counting the nice passes he dished out to Kramer and Quimson where both missed from point-blank range.

To add to Ateneo's misery, they committed a whole lot of turnovers. It looked like the games where they lost against LaSalle and FEU where they piled up more than 20 TOs. During their previous 7 wins, they averaged only about 14.6 turnovers. In the first quarter alone, they already committed 6 TOs. So this game definetely looked like a loss from the beginning. Even Japhet Aguilar missed a two-handed dunk, which he usually makes in the game, and would be one of the the highlights of the game. So this game was definitely a loss in the making. Besides, Ateneo barely beat UST the first time around 79-72, depite LA's triple-double and JC Intal's 23-9 output.

But wait, here's more. Ateneo shot poorly from beyond the 3-point arc, shooting 0 for 9 during the first half. Their first basket from three-point country came in the third quarter courtesy of rookie Jai Reyes. Ironically though, Ateneo is the league's most accurate 3-point shooting team, shooting 30.8 percent. In fact, they're the only team to break the 30% barrier (Thanks to the commentators again). Ateneo badly missed Magnum's services that game. I don't know why he didn't suit up for the game. Probably nursing some mild injury or something. Ateneo probably thought this game would come easy after getting victories from UE and UP twice this season. And that they would be fine without Magnum's services. Now I think the team regrets having him sit out this game... And oh, UST actually shot the lights out from 3 point country. Although not at a great percentage (just above 30%, 7 for 24 ata), but considering Ateneo's 3 point shooting during the game (2 out of 14 ata), you would have to consider that "shooting the lights out".

Ateneo actually came to within 1 point with less than a minute to go in the game. But a defensive lapse on Ateneo's part gave UST a 3 point lead with 27 seconds to go. After the shot, Ateneo called for time. Right after the shot, I saw LA screaming at Kramer for leaving his man wide open for the layup. After the timeout Ateneo went for the three. And guess, who they went to... Nah, not Jai Reyes, despite being the the only player to give Ateneo a 3 point field goal in the game. By the way he shot another three late in the fourth to narrow the gap to 76-73. Oh yeah, back to Ateneo's play... They went to LA despite his very cold shooting. Ateneo had another chance since they got the offensive board. And guess what, they went for another three! Yes again, it was LA who shot the three and missed again for the fifth time from the arc! UST got the rebound and Duncil was fouled. And he split his charities to seal the game.

Anyways, despite LA's horrible game, I still trust him in crunch time. And I hope SMB would be able to acquire him in the PBA next year... Para dramatic din ang passing of the point guard chores, from one Atenean to another. Olsen to LA. Parang sa Coke this year. Johny A. to Denok Miranda... FEU connection! Go San Miguel!

And the game's moral: Never underestimate someone who has nothing to play for exept pride.

"Never assume that the person you are dealing with is weaker or less important than you are. Some men are slow to take offense, which may make you misjudge the thickness of their skin, and fail to worry about insulting them. But should you offend their honor and their pride, they will overwhelm you with a violence that seems sudden and extreme given their slowness to anger." -48 Laws of Power

Winning streaks do end at 7 in this year's UAAP season. But unfortunately for the NU Bulldogs, their losing streak is at 10 this season. That losing streak is probably gonna end next season or 2 seasons from now. Remember Adamson's winless 2 (or 3 ba yun) seasons? When they finally won a game, the players (perhaps the coaching staff) cried as if they won the championship. Very emotional win for them, really...

This just in. (Actually while typing the first part of this post) Back to Thursday's game between LaSalle and UE, Cholo Villanueva's game tying shot was nullified since, according to the technical committee, no more time was left. Ergo, the game was given to the Red Warriors. Which actually increases Ateneo's chances of not facing LaSalle in the Final Four. Honestly, I'm not that confident with Ateneo when they play against LaSalle. Hehehe! It's better they face UE since they have the psychological edge since they beat them twice convincingly. At para na rin magkaubusan na ang LaSalle at FEU sa Final Four. Well, assuming LaSalle holds on to the number 4 slot.

I dunno, maybe LaSalle would protest against the decision. Or then again, maybe they'll accept the decision and let their game do the talking…

Errata pala sa mga kinuwentohan ko nung UE-LaSalle game. Apparently, 23 or 28 seconds na lng daw yung natira when Lasalle held the 6 point lead (according to the commentators of the UST-AdMU game). I'm pretty sure mga 43 pa yun e...

posted by kArEnEiL @ 5:01 PM