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| (Photo Credit: Filoil Flying V Sports) |
It's easy (and fun!) to throw in hot takes every now and then. It creates discussion between people, and well, it gets you attention. Screw the context of whatever is happening. I have a hot take, so here.
But, we have to remember that context still matters. Right now in the Filoil Flying V Tournament, it's important to temper our expectations with regards to how teams perform in this tourney. After all, succeeding (or failing) in the Filoil tourney has never been a sure-fire way of determining whether a team is good is not.
Remember the Season 75 NU Bulldogs and Season 76 UE Red Warriors? They dominated competition, but they failed to contend for a title during the UAAP season. What a shame.
The collegiate basketball season is back! Fun times. But temper your expectations. This train is just getting started once more. With that, here's the rundown.
Hump Day Scores:
UST Tiger Cubs def. JRU Light Bombers 79-71
FEU Baby Tamaraws def. MIT Red Robins 60-58
CSB Blazers def. MIT Cardinals 64-49
Adamson Falcons def. SSCR Stags 64-61
UE Red Warriors def. Ateneo Blue Eagles 72-71
The Rundown
1. JRU isn't the strongest team in the Juniors Division out there, but it's safe to say that Inand Fornillos is going to be one of the best players in the UAAP Juniors Division next season.
2. LJ Gonzales = Point God? Maybe. FEU is going to rely on him a ton next season. Expect him to put up near triple-doubles almost every game. He kind of has to, given how much they lost.
3. Both Mapua teams (Juniors and Seniors) are clearly missing some of their stars. Allwell Oraeme stands out the most, but for the Red Robins, Sherwin Concepcion and Jasper Salenga's contributions were needed as well.
4. Great start for the CSB Blazers, winning against a decent Mapua team. This is a team that could surprise a number of teams given TY Tang's presence. #SmallBallisLife is the motto of this CSB team.
5. Adamson's their first two games (yay!) but by just a combined margin of eight points (nay?). The two teams they beat aren't exactly world beaters as well. Expect them to take it step by step as they integrate their new pieces (Pingoy, Hill) along with their core (Manalang, Sarr, Manganti and Ahanmisi).
6. That was a great way to start a tough season ahead for UE, beating an Ateneo team slated to return to the Finals by a number of fans. There's barely any pressure for Manong Derrick, which is a good thing by any means.
7. Alvin Pasaol is a monster. He's UE's best player now, and he's their go-to-guy for sure. It's safe to say he'll be putting up crazy stat lines this year (albeit inefficient at times).
8. Preseason Ateneo is so tricky. I'm hesitant to judge them as busts given the context that they're in, but it's tough to get excited as well. Very little upside/potential to this Blue Eagles team.
9. Props to Mike Nieto. He's been the Blue Eagles' best player thus far. Is averaging a solid 16 points and 8 rebounds for an Ateneo team that doesn't exactly dump the ball to him every possession. That's making the most of what you're given.
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