UAAP Season 76: Watch Out (UST - Ateneo Knockout Elimination Round Game and Ateneo post mortem)

UST Growling Tigers (8 - 6) def. Ateneo Blue Eagles (7 - 7) 82 - 74

Hey, there's still him next year, right?
(credits to uaapsports.studio23.tv)

   Instead of going through the usual motions of recapping the games, I'll be doing a slight features article concerning Ateneo and UST.

  When the final buzzer ended, I honestly wanted to cry. That was a painful loss for my Blue Eagles. Sure I support UST, but no matter what happens, Ateneo pa rin susuportahan ko. Yet, eventually I started to gather my feelings, and I thought, hey, I think teams should actually be worried of Ateneo next year. And, I also thought about it. NU, FEU and DLSU should be worried about UST come the Final Four. REAL WORRIED.

  Now, since I don't want this to be an Ateneo centric article, I'll start with the Growling Tigers first. After all, they are the winners of the much awaited bout between the two celebrated squads, so might as well give them the start for the article.

  Before this year started, I didn't give UST the Final Four nod. After all, UE was playing like crazy, DLSU's depth was crazy, NU had Aroga (at that time) at hand, and Ateneo was Ateneo. Although if UST made it to the Final Four, I wouldn't be surprised, and if they did, they would be one of the two teams (the other being NU) most primed to take Ateneo's crown. Well, they're in the Final Four, and they face the other team primed to take the crown. 

Jeric Teng = CLUTCH.
(credits to sir Roy Afable)

  Many of you may ask, do I still think that UST is one of the top two candidates to take the crown? I'll answer that with an emphatic YES. Why? Well...

• As cliche as it may sound, they have the experience. Sure, experience didn't really go the way of Ateneo this year, but UST is a different story. Only Teng was their major injury, plus they actually have a reliable front court in Mariano, Ferrer and Abdul. Now how exactly do they have experience? Two straight post season appearances where they gave an Ateneo team with Salva, Ravena and Slaughter the fits. They have Pido Jarencio who has gone through A LOT, and I mean A LOT. Two clutch cats in Teng and Mariano. 
• They have the tools necessary to contend. Their back court is a solid and versatile one. They have Bautista who can be the main gunner from beyond the arc, an athletic Dacuioag, and an all around play maker in Jeric Teng. Their wings are without fault as well, as Ferrer and Mariano can create in the offensive end for sure. And they have that Abdul guy. Oh, and that Jarencio coach who's the Alfrancis Chua of the UAAP.
• They have a rabid Santo Tomas crowd supporting them. Don't believe me? I guess that's another thing you should watch out for then.

  Now, let's head on to the Ateneo Blue Eagles. What we should watch out for them doesn't concern their chances at the Final Four (duh, they are out), or their chances at the PCCL even. What we should watch out for, is the future. I'm not just talking about next year future. I'm talking about, years to come future. And I mean years.

I guess Ateneo decided to stop being hipster. Hello (basketball) imports!
(credits to Sir Phlip Sison and fabilioh.com)

   Ateneo has three imports coming up, and two of them are suiting up next year. The three (I hope my sources are correct), are Ikeh (6'10), Ewenike (6'10), Gueye (7'1). You guys may argue, "Won't that hinder the development of the big men of the Blue Eagles?" Well, the thing is, for the upcoming years, big men won't be the centerpiece of the Ateneo hoops program. Guards will be the name of the game for the Eagles (well, as of now at least), for the next few years. I'll give you guys a slight glimpse of the three guys we should take note of for next year. Let's take a look at them.

Of course we know about him.
(credits to spin.ph)

Jerie Pingoy, Current Freshman, PG

   No introduction needed, really. He was pretty much the hottest high school recruit last year, and there was even a rule named after him. Plus, since that rule is currently under a TRO, and chances are it will be removed just in time for next year, we might finally see him in a Blue Eagle uniform for Season 77. 

Thirdy Ravena, 4th Year High School, SF/SG

   The newly crowned juniors MVP is definitely more athletic compared to his kuya, plus he has the height between the two. He needs to bulk up though, his jumper needs work, plus he needs to be smarter on the court. Some people are actually comparing him to Ryan Buenafe, except more athletic. Sky is the limit for him.

Aaron Black, 4th Year High School, SG

  As far as I know, people compared Aaron early on to Ray Parks, but I see more of a James Harden in him. He's a dead eye shooter and he can create his shot more or less, but he isn't exactly the most imposing of players. Here's to a growth spurt.

  Other than them, there are still other underclassmen in the high school waiting. There are the Nieto brothers, SEABA U 16 MVP Jolo Mendoza, Gian Mamuyac and who knows, Kobe Paras (he plays guard). Also, Kiefer, Newsome and Elorde will surely come out hungrier next year. Especially Kiefer.

  Point is, there's no need for either team to actually be sad, especially Ateneo. UST has a huge chance of getting the crown, and Ateneo has a bright future ahead of them. So to both teams, kudos to a great season, and on to the next one. To the other teams however... watch out.