UAAP Season 76: Unpredictable (UE - DLSU, AdU - NU, ADMU - UP, FEU - UST Round 1 Match Ups)

Chris Newsome's slam leads this weekend's heart racing set of games.
(credits to Fabilioh)

      Remember how UAAP's tagline last year was "Unbreakable"?

  Well, after the results of the past few games, I thought of a proposition to the UAAP Board.

  What about we change the tagline of this year's UAAP Season from "Greatness Never Ends" to "Unpredictable"? Why that? Well that's pretty much what the UAAP has been this season!

  Unpredictable.

  Not only does it fittingly describe the season, but it also sounds way better than "Greatness Never Ends". Seriously.

  Kidding aside, the season really has been unpredictable. I honestly expected it to be unpredictable in a sense that anyone could make the Final Four, but I didn't expect it to be THIS unpredictable. It has indeed come to a point where every team can make the Final Four, and it could even come to a point where we find out the COMPLETE Final Four cast come the last play date of the regular season. Honestly, when did that last happen?


   Instead of going through the usual motions by recapping the main game of the game date with complete analysis, I'll be recapping every game from the two play dates instead, albeit the analysis won't be as comprehensive. Let's get it started!

July 20, 2013

UE Red Warriors (3 - 2) def. DLSU Green Archers (2 - 3) 85 - 83

Roi Sumang came up hit timely baskets in UE's win against the Archers.
(credits to uaapsports.studio23.tv)

  This year's set of games have been so exciting, that it's come to the point that the 1st game in the double header can actually be more exciting than the main game.

  That's exactly what happened during the UE - DLSU game. I can't say that it was DEFINITELY more exciting than the Adamson - NU match up, but I can say that it was one of the better games this season, and that's actually saying quite a lot. 

  The start of the game featured a see saw battle between both teams. Jeron Teng was doing well in the offensive end, but AVO was virtually struggling against the much stronger Charles Mammie. Roi Sumang was having a quiet game, but thankfully, his back ups were doing damage as well. 

  Then the 4th quarter came.

  When the 3rd quarter ended, DLSU was leading 64 - 58, still a manageable lead. At the start though, they started to pull away, erecting a lead as big as 11. They would continue to pound on the Red Warriors, and at that point, win #3 seemed already seemed eminent for the Green Archers. 

  Roi Sumang said otherwise. 

  He'd make timely baskets, and UE's defense would hold fort. Ralf Olivares would also help in UE's cause, and next thing you know it, UE was up by 1, 82 - 81. Dan Alberto would display composure by hitting two clutch free throws to extend the lead by 3. Those free throws pretty much served as the dagger for the game, as UE would wound up winning 85 - 83.

  UE displayed good composure here, with not only Sumang contributing, but also reserves such as Alberto and Olivares. Finally, Chris Javier contributed big time for the Red Warriors, scoring 16 points. Charles Mammie had a monster game again, contributing 19 points and 16 rebounds for UE's cause.

  La Salle is left with a number of questions right now. 

  They got to pull away at the start of the 4th quarter, but they just couldn't seem to completely put away the Red Warriors. The same thing happened for them against FEU. 1 question they need to answer is; who will hit the big baskets for them? Will it be Jeron Teng or Almond Vosotros? Second, how can they attack opposing teams consistently? Lastly, how will their free throws woes be fixed?

Adamson Soaring Falcons (3 - 2) def. NU Bulldogs (3 -3) 68 - 66

Jericho Cruz led the Falcons' charge against the Bulldogs.
(credits to uaapsports.studio23.tv)

  Coming into the season, many people considered the Falcons as Final Four contenders, but they still had doubters. People doubted Jericho Cruz's ability to lead the team. People found him too volume of a shooter to be able to lead the Adamson offense. People doubted Ingrid Sewa. Some said his basketball skills needed polishing. People doubted Rodney Brondial's ability to create in the offensive end without a skilled front court partner.

  Well, Adamson just proved all of you wrong.

  All of a sudden, the Falcons are sporting a 3 - 2 record, already beating two of the best teams in the league in UE and just last Saturday, NU. It was a see saw battle all throughout, but in the middle of the 4th quarter, Jericho Cruz and company slowly started to pull away from the Bulldogs. NU would have one last opportunity to tie or win the game, but sadly Robin Rono would miss an open three from the corner. Adamson would wound up winning, 68 - 66.

  Jericho Cruz is making a run for the MVP plum, posting an impressive 18 point line, scoring 16 of them during the second half. Don Trollano also came up big for the Falcons, scoring 7 points, five of those which started the run of the Bulldogs. For the side of the Bulldogs, Emmanuel Mbe had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Ray Parks had an all around game with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.

July 21, 2013

Ateneo Blue Eagles (2 - 4) def. UP Fighting Maroons (0 - 5) 72 - 64

The Phenom is slowly molding back to form. Uh  - oh.
(credits to Fabilioh)

  I'll won't make the recap of this game too long so I'll just mention some points.

• Kiefer Ravena is slowly becoming 100%. We knew Kiefer wasn't 100% yes coming into this game. Well, his game proved otherwise. He posted a respectable stat line (by his standards) scoring 15 points, grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. You could say that he still doesn't have the same amount of explosiveness, but his shooting is there. He even made a stop and pop jumper coming from the fast break. His lift is getting there. Come Saturday, Kiefer will probably be 100%. Who knows, he might consider doing this again. 
• Sam Marata needs help in the perimeter. Many people have criticized Sam Marata for being too much of a ballhog, I myself included. Although after watching his play against Ateneo, I realized that you couldn't really blame him. His team mates have a tendency to be passive, and Kyles Lao isn't exactly a perimeter threat. Jason Ligad showed flashes of brilliance in this game, and Chris Ball was a reliable mid range option. I just hope those two become more consistent.
• Chris Newsome is AWESOME.  Please look at the photo at the start of this post and please watch this video. Thank you. 

FEU Tamaraws (6 - 0) def. UST Growling Tigers (3 - 2) 77 - 67

Super Saiyan Romeo. 'Nuff said.
(credits to uaapsports.studio23.tv)

  FEU continues to make me look stupid. To the one who commented in my FEU team preview for the season, yes, "7th place my face". I should feel ashamed of myself.

  I honestly expected UST to win this game convincingly, I mean who in the FEU side can defend Karim Abdul? Christian Sentcheu? 

  Well, that was kind of the answer, although he wasn't completely stopped. 

  What FEU did though, was they closed out on UST's shooters during the 4th quarter. The game was close from the 1st - 3rd quarter, but when UST no longer had an outside sniper to contribute from the outside, that's when it spelled trouble for the Tigers. FEU would finally close out on Abdul, and just like that, FEU would pull away.

  Romeo led the FEU side with 19 points, but he wasn't without help. RR Garcia scored 17 points, while Mike Tolomia posted an impressive line of 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 dimes.

  Karim Abdul would lead the Espana five with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Helping in UST's cause was Kevin Ferrer, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 boards.