BLEACHERS BREW EST. MAY 2006

Someone asked me how my blog and newspaper column came to be titled "Bleachers Brew". It's like this, it's an amalgam of sorts of two things: The bleachers area in the stadium/arena where I used to sit when I would watch baseball, football, and basketball games and Miles Davis' great jazz album Bitches Brew. That's how it got culled together. I originally planned on calling it "The View from the Big Chair" that is a nod to Tears For Fear's second album, Songs from the Big Chair. So there.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

How San Beda survived a mugging on their way to a Sweep 16

While watching the second round San Beda-San Sebastian game yesterday at the San Juan Arena, I came away – once again, I might add – with my thoughts on why the Red Lions were not going to be beaten.

In the first round match up that San Beda won 88-76, head coach Frankie Lim was trying out different combinations to counter San Sebastian which led early in the game. Obviously, the Stags were overwhelmed by the size of the Red Lions in almost every position. Once the interior defense of San Beda was stabilized and the Stags’ MVP candidate Calvin Abueva began to flop all over the court, there went the ballgame for the champs.

Some mention was made on the shutting down of Stags point guard Pamboy Raymundo by his San Beda counterparts. I’m not sure I agree with that too much. I just thought that he deferred to his teammates a little too much. Aside from SBC’s Borgie Hermida, there aren’t many point guards in the NCAA who can break their man down with a quick first step and adjust in the air for their shots. During SSCR’s loss to Arellano University’s last week, in the botched final play of the Stags, Raymundo was able to drive through the lane and it was just a sorry play that he decided to dish to Ian Sangalang (which was also an option in the play) who lost the ball and the game eventually.

In the second round mugging match-up between SBC and SSCR, it was Raymundo who kept the Stags in the game with his 15 first half points. Abueva really didn’t lead his team much in the same span of time save for blocks, taunts, cheap shots, and fouls. With Ian Sangalang and Rey Gorospe hardly effective inside, that was San Beda’s game. Abueva did take out San Beda’s Fil-Ams Rome dela Rosa and Kyle Pascual out of their games with his physicality but the Stags' inability to cover Jake Pascual from medium range, Garvo Lanete from the outside, and Sudan Daniel from the inside totally killed them.

With Anthony Semerad a non-factor and his brother David DND-CD’d, Jake Pascual was the only one willing to call a spade a spade and give as good as he got. I also thought that the points that he scored right before he was thrown out were crucial as it kept San Beda ahead. But seriously, how can Pascual get thrown out and Abueva stay in the game? Obviously, the league is protecting Abueva who is being eyed to bag the MVP trophy (more so after Jimbo Aquino lost that after a suspension last year).

Anjo Caram was a surprise package when he came off the bench to score six points and pull off a heist after a miscommunication between Raymundo and Anthony del Rio up high.

San Sebastian initially dealt with the first wave of Bedan bigs but as they kept coming in waves, they were overwhelmed. Don’t be deceived by San Sebastian beating San Beda 37-36 on the boards. The story right there was in the field goal percentage of the Mendiola-based squad. They shot an incredible 52% as they took the game inside. No interior D. No shotblocking. You're asking for trouble against SBC.

The result was an expected 90-82 victory for a 16-0 slate in the eliminations and an automatic berth in the finals where whoever makes it via the stepladder format must beat them thrice. It’s a ridiculous idea because after that sweep they (NCAA) should have thrown the Final Four and Finals series out and handed the trophy right there to San Beda. But since some people want to mooch money off the fans and the public, a spectacle is necessary.

I said that the first time the two teams played this season, for the Stags to win, they must play basketball not basketbrawl. They somewhat played that, but minus Ronald Pascual, they didn’t have enough firepower. Abueva took himself out of the game in the first half with 1 point, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He did come alive in the fourth quarter with 11 points and 7 rebounds but he missed some shots and free throws that hurt his team. Raymundo scored a career high 29 points on top of 5 rebounds and 8 assists.

What I was ashamed of after the game was seeing how no one – save Anthony del Rio – who shook hands with their Bedan counterparts. And during the closing moments of the game, I thought that guys like Jaypee Mendoza and Rome dela Rosa were getting mugged in there by Abueva. At one point, I feared that dela Rosa would get bloodied after Abueva tried to deflect a pass while throwing down an elbow to his head.

I am a fan of Abueva’s high-energy play and willingness to mix it up with anyone inside. If this guy were as tall as Sudan Daniel then no way will his team lose. But the bad side is his dirty play. I vow next time to keep stats on cheap shots, bad calls, and dirty plays. Those were really criminal shots that he took on Daniel and dela Rosa. Before the game began, I took Sudan aside and told him that if there’s an altercation, he should just walk away. There’s too much to lose for him if he decided to duke things out. But credit Su who has been constantly reminded about that by his coaches and teammates.

Congratulations to the San Beda Red Lions for their Sweep 16. Their next game is just a formality.

Hey, did anyone see those Americans behind the San Sebastian bench? Looks like they’ve decided to play the import game. Of course, I could be wrong here.

39 comments:

  1. Amen bro. Some people consider Ato Agustin a saint but you have to question his inability (?) to rein in his boys' unnecessary or excessive physicality. But maybe there is a silver lining. Kaya sila natatalo nagko-concentrate sa pambabalya. Nakalimutan yung game.

    STAND ON THE GRANDSTAND!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hindi naman halatang bias tong article mo nu?

    Saang school ka nga galing? HAHAHA!

    Yung kay Abueva napansin mo! Pero yung k@gaguhan ni Jake Pascual at yung siko ni Lanete kay Ian hindi mo napansin.

    Anong klaseng columnist ka?

    About dun sa rules. Matagal ng nabago yan FYI. Kahit nung nasweep nung Baste jrs ang elims ganyan din ang nangyari. Don't act as if ngayon lang taon na to binago ang rules. Sa UAAP nga best of 3 e. Tapos dito sa NCAA thrice to beat.

    And correction lang! Hindi import yung mga nakita mo! Mga Fil-Am yun! Hindi kami kumukuha ng import! Hindi kami desperado katulad nyo!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I understand youre a Bedan and could be biased and all, but seriously you have to get your facts right. Caram a surprise factor?! Come on, if beda lost that game id be blaming him for all the blunder he made, and as for his points, all of them came from freethrows. As for the so-called bad officiating, dude you seriously have to open your mind and see that the majority of the calls FAVOR us, im a bedan alumnus by the way. Also, its not just the corporate suckers whod want a finals, but the fans as well. Well if youre scared that lady luck might shine upon baste in thhe finals, we are not, cause id like to see beda whip their asses as many times as they can just for all the country to see how dominating the lions are.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Caram stole the ball from Pamboy and scored on a layup as well. Yes he did commit a mistake necessitating the return of Borgie Hermida but he still did a good job.

    Regarding the calls... thats your opinion. I don't see the Red crowd agreeing with you on that as they kept howling for a foul because of the rough play.

    Well, if it's a finals you want then it's a finals you'll get.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, same with the crowd of San Sebastian. They kept shouting on Jake Pascual for his dirty plays and the bad officiating of the refs.

    No technical foul on Lanete's elbow on Ian. And no technical as well on that stupid kick of Jake Pascual on Pamboy. And the most unbelievable part Pamboy was the one called for a foul.

    I wonder how much the refs got from MVP? :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. So biased!

    Rick Olivares you don't deserve to be a columnist!

    You're a shame in the sports media world!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the article, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the game. A historic sweep yes, but over this hangs the specter of what happened to UE a couple of seasons ago. I have a healthy respect for the SSC coach and his tactics, and your point exactly about how talented the Stags are, more so if they stick to playing the game as it should be played (in an ideal collegiate sports, character building world). I look forward to the next match up to see what adjustments and counter adjustments each coach makes. And I also look forward to reading your tally of the dirty plays, cheap shots and questionable calls (for both sides). Though am a Bedan and certainly want my team to win, I will not underestimate the opponents, after all, a win on the Stag's part is still a win no matter how dirty it was gained.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for writing. Good luck then to both sides in the Finals!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This seems apt for the SSC method of play that SBC needs to remember:
    “Never wrestle with a pig—you get dirty and the pig likes it”

    ReplyDelete
  10. And correction lang! Hindi import yung mga nakita mo! Mga Fil-Am yun! Hindi kami kumukuha ng import! Hindi kami desperado katulad nyo!
    - wala kasi kayong pambayad! hehehe!

    ReplyDelete
  11. nice article although hindi sya ganun ka accurate pero good naman. yung iba dyan mag co-comment na nga lang magmumura pa! halatang bitter eh!

    PAX
    Animo San Beda!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is an excellent, well-written basketball review. The author is not biased. He's just stating THE FACTS!!

    Kudos to you, Mr. Olivares!

    ReplyDelete
  13. it is just so funny that this guy from baste is affected by the way jake pascual plays... i think he is the only guy who stood up to baste's dirty tactics..btw, did you see how abueva hit sudan on the face?or how bulawan would hit him constantly? are you blind? refs? getting from mvp? how about getting from bong p?or chavit s?or getting another kapampangan as commisioner? come on chap grow up! if sir rick's column ticked you off? then go apply to be a columnist also... he didnt ask you to agree anyway.. freedom of the press chap!

    ReplyDelete
  14. tssss...BIASED!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rick Olivares is from Ateneo - not from San Beda. I think the sTHUGS want to read an article on how clean Calvin Abueva play. I think they want to hear that he is not OVERAGED and he DOESN'T SPIT on a player. How can anyone be proud of a school with a team who wins using dirty tactis?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mga Basteng Bitter! hahahahaha :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. issue nanaman ng imports! talo lang kuya mga ungas!

    ReplyDelete
  18. How come people can't write down their real name when commenting on posts? it's not like you will get shot if you do so. I didnt get to see the SBC-SSC game but I am a Bedan batch 78/82/86, and a win is a win so I will take it as it comes. BEDA ALL THE WAY! ANIMO SAN BEDA! Marc Montesa

    ReplyDelete
  19. HOY YUNG NAGSABING LAHAT NG POINTS NI CARAM GALING SA FREE THROW, NANOOD KA BA NG GAME????? 2 POINTS LANG ANG GALING SA FREE THROW, FYI!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. job well done! well explained!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. YUNG MGA BUMUBUHAY NG IMPORT ISSUE JAN, TAMA NA YAN! TAPATAN NYO NA LANG!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Just hand the trophy to the red lions, there's no way to beat them. thrice to beat? i can beat my mother to it. haha

    ReplyDelete
  23. Suportado kse ang BEDA.... with MVP on our side... ska kung may pera ka rin lang nmn dba.... yan ang patunay na maganda ang program ng SBC.. kung d nyo kaya mag import wag kayong ingitero... oo na sbe nyo all filipino ang baste bkt wla ba kayong fil-am... ay bka unggoy meron.. hehehe... jowk.. hehe...... ska khit sa UAAP meron na rin clang mga imports... ganun tlaga matuto kse kayong mag scout hndi lang dto sa pinas go international...hehehe.... ANIMO SAN BEDA!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wala yan sa import ang pagkapanalo... nasa galing ng paglalaro at unity yan

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rick is not from San Beda. So for those who are questioning this article, don't hi jack this article. This is a review from a spectator's view

    ReplyDelete
  26. He is not biased, he gave the facts straight-up. It's just that most of the goods things are with San Beda, and face it Abueva is a dirty player albeit a good one. Remember the spit on the face of MIT's Pascual? He reported it as it should be, that the Red Lions have dominated the season so far. You just think he's biased because you are not from San Beda, blame your parents for that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This article will not be written if it was not noticed during the game... =)

    ReplyDelete
  28. First of all, I am not against any school whether it be SBC or SSCR. I even wrote a column in Rebound about Abueva being a "game changer" with his talent. As I said, I found it disappointing they had to resort to roughhousing to try and win a game. If the Red Lions gave back then it was with reason. Some people can be too sensitive. Just because one takes a shot that doesn't mean he is against that person or hates him. Bwisit yung ugaling Pinoy na yan. Kaya wala tayong pupuntahan. And I will maintain what I wrote. I thought that the league was protecting Abueva because those fouls were plenty dangerous. If you guys have a problem with that then you know where to find me during games. To Marc Montesa, thanks. Appreciated, dude. Much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  29. wala kasi kayong pambayad! hehehe!

    - Alam mo ba kung magkano ang binayad sa 3 Fil-Am na yan? Maybe a lot higher than what your school paid Sudan and your upcoming import! Anyway! Those Fil-Ams are much better than your imports!

    Watch out for them next year! Let's see how your imports fare against our Fil-Ams! :D

    ReplyDelete
  30. @ Rick Olivares:

    That's not the point in question. The point is was your article fair on both sides? No!

    Granting that's true! Abueva did play dirty. The question is didn't Jake Pascual, Lanete and Marcelo played dirty as well? How come you have no comments against them?!

    For you to be a true columnist. You should always be fair at all times. And this article shows no sign of equality!

    ReplyDelete
  31. hi rick. is the new issue of rebound out yet?

    ReplyDelete
  32. @anonymous: tama na....talunan naman kau e...aminim mo man o hindi...madumi na nga kau maglaro pero talunan pa din... from BEDISTA tambolista

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nadura pa nga si Abueva dedma lang sila...

    ReplyDelete
  34. i am a bedan too, kaso minsan nkakahiya na din ang kayabangan ng ibang bedista, hindi naman issue yung mey kayang pambayad ng import or anything ang isang school. no 1 din magsisigaw ng squatter ang ibang bedista sa ibang schools, para tuloy tayong walang breeding nyan e. lets stay cool and just enjoy the game, wala dapat ngmamaliit sa ibang school dahil lng sa mas mataas ang tuition sa beda, dahil mey swimming pool sa beda at kun ano pa.

    ReplyDelete
  35. e nung championship n siniko ni pamboy si borg? how about dun nagkaron ng fracture eye socket walang flagrant foul intentional or whatsoever?

    hndi b dapat thrownout n yun?

    e yung nag 2nd motion si abueva vs arellano with closed fist and also kay sudan?

    dinuraan sa mukha ni abueva yung taga mit?

    pangungurot ni bulawan kay sudan?

    ReplyDelete
  36. a win is a win ganun lng kasimple.

    pero yung pandaraya nung championship is another story no wonder the refs after ng championship bago mga kotse tsk tsk tsk

    ReplyDelete
  37. always two sides to a coin. I can't wait to see your stats on dirty plays. Hopefully you include spitting, breaking the thumb of Semerad, low blows, name it..

    wow this issue of imports goodness they are not even imports they are called foreign students and half fil/half whatever nationality they are. It's so 2006 issue. so old.

    I pray no one gets hurt. Because what happened to Borgy last year was just plain assault. It should not be tolerated.

    ReplyDelete