UAAP Season 76: Stitches And Burns (Ateneo Blue Eagles - UST Growling Tigers Round 1 Match Up)

Ateneo Blue Eagles (3 - 4) def. UST Growling Tigers (4 - 3) 61 - 57

First Kiefer, and now Newsome. I feel bad for Abdul.
(credits to Fabilioh and sir Philip Sison)

  The title Stitches and Burns is usually associated to the song by Norweigan New Wave band Fra Lippo Lippi. Well, we could actually associate the song to the relationship between UST and Ateneo.

  The song talks about a guy who, we could assume, just recently broke up with his girlfriend. He states that, he will no longer fall for any of the tricks that his girlfriend did back then, but deep inside, he actually still loves the girl. Eventually though, he realizes that he can come to terms with the stitches and burns that he has received from the girl, and he is willing to move on, and fly again. 

  So why can we associate the song to the relationship between UST and Ateneo? Well, I'll explain that at the end of the article. Let's go through the usual motions first.

  UST was coming into this game with a 14 point win against the UP Fighting Maroons, with Kevin Ferrer leading them to victory. Ateneo came into the came with the same result, a win against UP, this time with Kiefer Ravena leading them to victory.

  Many people were still doubting the Blue Eagles before this game. After all, their win against Adamson was one without a healthy Sewa and their win against UP was.. well, it's UP after all. I couldn't blame people for doubting Ateneo. I had faith in this Blue Eagle squad, but deep inside, there was still a hint of doubt. After all, how would Erram and Golla contain Abdul? Could Newsome play well despite the hulking front line of the Tigers? Can Kiefer play well despite the presence of Kevin Ferrer and ankle pains? Lastly, how will Ateneo stop Aljon Mariano? 

  Let me recap the game by answering those questions.

How would Erram and Golla contain Abdul?

• Poy and Frank would contain Abdul by always putting a body on him. This is the most logical way of defending someone, body up on him, yet it's an art only few can do properly. Why? Because most of the time, the defender would end up fouling the offensive player. Erram and Golla pretty much gave everyone a Tiutorial (pun intended), on how to body up on someone. No hands when a player posts up, and when he shoots, put your hands up. 
• In bodying him in up, they would also force him to go inside. Many may wonder, how does this make sense? After all, he is bigger than both big men, so he could just bulldoze his way inside. Well, they did that since what Ateneo did was clog the lane, thus making drives incredibly difficult when half court sets are used. This is one problem Greg Slaughter had last year in defending Abdul: He was stronger than Abdul, but he wasn't as fast thus, he'd just let Abdul stay in the outside, hoping he would end up blocking the shot when Karim shoots it. Well, that didn't exactly work. 

Could Newsome play well despite the hulking front line of the Tigers?

• Well, yes, yes he can. I'll explain this as short and as sweet as possible. Newsome is arguably the MOST athletic player in college basketball right now. Probably more athletic than Parks. No one in UST can match up with his athleticism. What does he do? Jump, fish, swish. As simple as that. 

Can Kiefer play well despite the presence of Kevin Ferrer and ankle pains?

Kiefer could be 100% mentally, but physically, not exactly.
(credits to sir Reiley C. Udasco and Fabilioh)

• Not exactly. You may argue that he had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Fine, it was a respectable game when you think about it. But 9 attempts FROM THE THREE, then only 6 FROM THE INSIDE? Obviously, his ankle pains must have had an effect with this. What about the Kevin Ferrer effect? You could notice that Kiefer actually could drive to the hole, it's just that he wasn't taking it hard. He was very passive, and he preferred to shoot jumpers instead of slashing to the basket. Plus, 1 of 4 from the free throw line. Kiefer has a long way to go. Thank God for the two week break though.

How will Ateneo stop Aljon Mariano?

• Well, they didn't exactly stop him...
• ... but we could say that we've found the answer.
• Chris Newsome. Just watch the last two quarters of the game.  

  So, how is Stitches and Burns related to the relationship between Ateneo and UST? Okay think of it this way. The very first burn that UST gave Ateneo was during the 2006 Finals, when they upset the Blue Eagles from getting the championship. It was one that stung Ateneo's heart until they finally had pay back against the Growling Tigers, beating them in last year's Finals series. Those are two events that both squads will surely never forget. 

  This game is one both teams won't forget as well. From Greg Slaughter to Karim Abdul, Pido to Coach Norman and Kiefer Ravena to Kevin Ferrer, it has been a roller coaster ride of a relationship. Expect that when one gets stitches and burns from the other team, they will come to terms with these, and they will learn to fly again.