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.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Bummer: Looking at Ateneo’s second round loss to La Salle


Bummer: Looking at Ateneo’s second round loss to La Salle
by rick olivares

I was sure we had them. Instead, La Salle came away 64-62 winners to sweep the elimination round series for the first time since 2005 (Norman Black’s first year but both matches voided because of the Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian ineligibility issue). Or if you will, 2001, when the Green Archers achieved their four-peat.

Here’s looking at that match. Coldly and several hours after so that the initial raw emotions have died down.

Ateneo shot really poor.
This is one of those matches where the statistics do not begin to tell the whole story. Ateneo did better on almost every statistical category except in field goal shooting and free throws attempted.

La Salle shot better than Ateneo. 

The Blue Eagles attempted a whopping 76 times from the field and made 24 of them for 31.6% shooting. By contrast, the Green Archers had 57 attempts and connected on 22 of them (38.6%).

It was in the free throw department that was the huge difference.

La Salle had 28 shots but made 18 while Ateneo was 9-14.

We can say that there was a disparity in shots or even in fouls with attempts called but that essentially will come down to one’s willingness to take the game inside.

Early in the game, I was surprised that the boys kept taking shot after shot from the perimeter. Even into the third period, they kept doing that. I wondered, why don’t they take it in? The problem when you don’t make those outside shots is their zone will be a lot tighter as they dare us to beat them from the outside.

After Ryan Buenafe’s opening basket where he drove inside, we stopped doing that until the final 10 minutes of the game.

And that leads to the battle of the bigs.
Frank Golla, JP Erram, Vince Tolentino, and Ivan Enriquez managed to stay in the game unlike the first round encounter where the first two fouled out and Gboy Babilonia played an ineffective 12 minutes.

We didn’t get much production from the bigs in this game. Four points total as compared to the 10 they chipped in during the first round encounter. And this match was a whole lot closer than that.

However to their credit, they held down Norbert Torres and Arnold Van Opstal to 10 points (the duo scored a combined 28 in the first round). Jason Perkins hit some huge shots to make up for their centers’ lack of production though.

I am not surrendering that we are not going to get anything more from the bigs. If we want to beat La Salle (wow there’s something I have said in over five years), the bigs need to come up big. In the pre-season win, one huge factor was Frank Golla hitting shots and moving well without the ball.

They need to reciprocate that for us to have a chance.

The Phenom is human.
Kiefer Ravena played his worst game since his first UAAP seniors game (where he didn’t score a point). Today, Kief finished with 12 points but that was on 4-13 field goal shooting while hitting 3-8 from the free throw line. There were uncharacteristic turnovers including about two in a row that was sandwiched a terrible miss. Some of his shots were forced and he airballed a few.

However, when he hit that huge triple at the 8:47 mark of the fourth period to give the Blue Eagles a five-point lead, the cheers on the Ateneo side were deafening. It was like ‘at last’ and ‘Go, Kief!’ I was hoping that was the turning point and we’d beat La Salle now.

In the Green Archers’ next possession, they got a stop and the ball went right back to Ravena who unfortunately, airballed another triple attempt.

Watching him from afar, his early miscues and missed shot attempts told on his body language.

It would be highly unrealistic to expect him to play every game and stuff the stat sheet.

It has been a trying season for the junior. He suffered an uncharacteristic foot injury -- his first major one of his young career – before the start of the season and struggled to find his rhythm in the next couple of games before finding his groove towards the end of the first round.

Even if he struggled in the game, you know that he’ll try to do something to pull off a win. That big time drive to notch the count for one last time says a lot about his determination.

You can be sure he’ll bounce back from this.

I’d like to credit La Salle’s defense but not too much.
In the midst of that thrashing of FEU, I had a thought – I hope we save some for La Salle. Almost from the beginning, the boys were missing shots from the outside. With no deadeye shooter and Juami Tiongson perhaps the one legitimate threat from the outside, the Green Archers threw a shifting zone to prevent any drives. What I do not get is why weren’t high picks to free up someone. I felt rather than whip that ball around, we played tentative.

La Salle attacked the interior. The bigs – Frank Golla, JP Erram, and Ivan Enriquez fared better this time as they didn’t foul out. They stopped Norbert Torres and Arnold Van Opstal but Jason Perkins hit huge medium range shots including a triple late in the game.

In the meantime, the Blue Eagles preferred to hoist shots from the outside. Granted we do not have a legit post-up threat, we should have attacked them.

We lost our composure.
We seemed to be on the short end of the calls with some dubious ones.

When Ryan Buenafe picked up his second foul, Jason Perkins was bodying him up.

The funny thing was, the ref was right in front of them. He warned them both. Then in the next play, Perkins bumped Ryan who bumped right back. Incredibly, Buenafe was the one whistled by the ref.

More often than not, the retaliation is the one that is caught. While this happened right in front of the referee who was blind to the initial bump, as a veteran, Ryan should not be baited into this.

In one instance, Jeron Teng drove where he somewhat pushed off on his drive. JP Erram was called for the foul in which he and the Ateneo coaching vehemently protested. In La Salle’s next attack, Erram rather clumsily fouled Teng once more.

It was a useless foul and one that led to a three-point play.

Did the technical foul on Bo Perasol cost Ateneo the game?

Maybe. Because the final margin was two points.

Maybe not. Because the team was in a position to go ahead but Ryan Buenafe missed a drive (because he was pushed).

If the team had done a little better at the free throw line. If the team had opted to attack inside instead of shooting from the perimeter then maybe the team could have eked out a win.

When Coach Bo went to the court to confront the referee over the calls. I immediately thought about Norman Black last year in the second round Ateneo-UST match and Joe Lipa in the Final Four of 2000.

Norman stormed the floor to protest the poor officiating. Surprisingly, he wasn’t assessed a technical foul and Ateneo went on to win the game.

Lipa on the other hand was pissed at two things (in my opinion). He was angry with the Blue Eagles for not playing well and at the referees because of you know what. Coach Joe infamously threw a chair on to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium court. Mikko Roldan went on to hit the game winning shot versus Ateneo.

And well, in this game, Jeron Teng hit the game winner with 1.9 seconds left.

I guess the lesson is to not get those kind of T’s.

Having said that, getting teed up can also be a tactic to fire up a team. Ryan responded to that by hitting a triple to come within one point, 62-63. But in the next sequence, he was called for a blocking foul on Teng.

In Perasol’s first UAAP game, I thought the learning process from the pros to the amateurs and the pressure of being head coach of Ateneo got to him. He sat. Was oft quiet with Sandy Arespacochaga doing a lot of talking and standing up.

In Ateneo’s next game, perhaps he heard the grumblings, he stood up more and called for more instructions. He’s grown into the role and has really put his stamp on this team. In Ateneo’s last game (against FEU), he should have been resting owing to his operation for the removal of his kidney stones but he attended practice and the game. No excuses even if he was clearing wincing in pain on the bench (against Adamson). This game, he showed a lot of emotion. Some might call him out for the technical levied against him. but he is doing just fine.

Look. We may have lost the battle. But it is not yet the war. We’re at 6-5 with UE, NU and UST on the horizon. It’s gut check time.

What I want to see is how Ateneo bounces back from this loss.
After that thrashing by NU to open the season, Ateneo played more or less a good game against FEU before succumbing in the end game.

And then there was that first round match against La Salle where we were leading by 17 before we ran into foul trouble and lost our bigs and then the game.

That game was followed by a victory over Adamson that was playing well up to that point aside from being the leading rebounding team.

Ateneo lost to UE before taking five of the next games.

I want to see how the Blue Eagles respond against UE (that is also wounded) on Saturday.

It is not yet over, guys. The guys in green got these games. Let’s work to get them back.

OBF!!!!!!


34 comments:

  1. ikaw na lang kaya maglaro. bro???

    ReplyDelete
  2. what about that jason perkins elbow?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What about it? As I said the calls were bad. Now this piece isn't a diatribe about the calls and the refs. I have already called them out. As I said, in spite of the calls, there were still chances. Last year against UST there were really horrendous calls but we still got the win. I am sure you get the point now.

      Delete
  3. Bawal ba mag blog anon 8:29 am? baka mas magaling ka , BRO.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wait wait...I thought UE's next games (affected by the suspensions) were against NU (lost already) and Dlsu next? So it's on this coming Wed? So tayo ba talaga recipient ng commissioner's ruling and not la sale?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ralf Olivares will still be suspended when ADMU plays UE on Sunday. Mammie will be still be suspended when they play La Salle.

      Delete
  5. Hi, I was not able to watch the game. I was hoping to know what happened that led to coach bo's confronting a referee. Based on twitter, ravena was involved. It would be nice to hear you comment about that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't blame Bo for reacting the way he did. It worked to work out the ref sometimes and in that case he had a case. That was a momentum swing indeed due to inconsistency in officiating. On the one hand Ateneo lost the sure 2 points off a put back when Ryan was pushed. Immediately after, Kiefer just slightly made contact on Perkins which was immediately called and the rest was an elbow swing that knocked Kiefer down but wasn't even assessed anything. What happened to the second motion huh? Welp, it seems the refs are on the side of whoever's patron is more visible now huh? Go La Sale!

    ReplyDelete
  7. But what was uncalled for was the post-game fracas. Bo hasn't been immersed enough in the culture of Admu-Dlsu rivalry that has a life of its own. He should have just let the insults slide like water off an eagle's back. But in reacting the way he did, he acted like a duck. Understand that Atayde (as per report, whether the son or the old man) has a lot of stake here. He wants his team to replicate if not surpass Ateneo's 5-peat before he dies. He should have just retorted to "salamat ha" (if he had to reply at all) with "Welcome! Di naman taon-taon lagi kayong luhaan at baka ikamatay nyo pa kung mag 6-peat kame". You know, kanto-for-kanto? lol Expect no magnanimity in victory from La Sale. It's been a long while.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I actually noticed that Kiefer was kind of "off" yesterday. Like there was something was bothering his psyche for the game. There were a bunch of non-calls and dubious ones that did hurt the team. All I can say is that the effort was there but did not see much heart (if you know what I mean). Yun nga lang post game, all hell almost broke lose when La Salle started heckling Coach Bo. I'm kind off scared now that the tech committee might suspend the Coach, much less sana warning lang.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ateneo Shot Poorly - I agree that we settled for too many bad/forced outside shots and not driving to basket. Good outside shots are set up by breaking down the defense then kicking out to the open man. Drives to the basket also result in free throws and second chance points.
    The Phenom is human/We lost our composure - Kiefer in particular was the one who lost his composure for most of the game. He was affected by Vosotros' trash talking and physical play. But Kiefer being kiefer should be able to learn and bounce back from this game.
    Coach Bo needed that technical to fire up his team. We still had a chance to win that game even after the bogus blocking foul on Buenafe.

    No one said this year would be easy and we're right in the thick of things.

    Go, Coach Bo! Go, Ateneo! OBF

    ReplyDelete
  10. We're playing ue on sunday. So that should be a full force ue but im still confident about our chances. OBF.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think La Salle is the beneficiary of the UE suspensions. They play on Wednesday. Ateneo's UE game is on Sunday at MOA.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Rick. UE will be going against DLSU this Wednesday without Mammie. We'll be playing UE on Sunday where they won't be having Olivares only.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How about that bottle thrower, JJ Atayde? What an A-hole huh?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ateneo's facing UE Saturday, not Wednesday. Mammie will be back by then but no Olivares

    ReplyDelete
  15. i believe coach norman would have done the same (charging to the court to confront the refs), the non-call on Buenafe was big. Tapos no call na nga kay Buenafe, foul pa si Ravena khit sya un siniko sa mukha.. We had a chance to send it to overtime with a stop. Jeron Teng has only 1 move - sugod, fake, turn around, bato.. I dont know why Chris didnt put pressure on him sa labas pa lang e seconds nlng ang labanan, tapos hindi pa nya sinabayan ung tira.. not sure if it was because of the refs or what, pero that's poor 1 on 1 defense, mas mabilis at athletic si Chris, kaya nya un play nya un.. sayang!
    anyway, kaya pa to. tiwala lang, OBF!

    ReplyDelete
  16. "...but Ryan Buenafe missed a drive (because he was pushed)."

    Stop making excuses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that's a clear foul, mas clear foul pa kesa blocking foul na tinawag kay buenafe sa one dimensional drive (ganun lng ng ganun lagi, lagi!)ni Jeron Teng.

      dlsu won, but that's a foul.

      Delete
    2. hey anon at 2:50 PM, stop being ignorant and watch this video https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=675790222432839 .

      Delete
    3. You also forgot about Ravena's knack for foul-baiting "with a little extra effort added". The guy can sell fouls, and one cannot really make a clear, sound judgment on whether or not contact was made.

      But if you want to talk about phantom foul calls, how about that technical foul thrown at Rico Maierhoffer at the 2008 Finals after he allegedly "gave the middle finger". Heck, even a handful of Ateneo spectators at the Patron area would attest to the dubiousness of this said call.

      Delete
    4. Excuses, excuses. Butthurt people must stop and accept that the championship years of Ateneo has gone to an end.

      Tell Kiefer to get his game back. To be honest, he's the future of our National Team. He just needs to get his explosiveness back. (Takot din siguro dahil sa injury)

      Also, please, enough with the flopping, Kief. That only reflects a lot on your ability as a player. You know you're much better than that.

      Regarding the foul on Ryan, yes that's a clear foul. Kiefer, again, flopped and that's clearly not an elbow from Jason Perkins. Bad shots were called on both teams and that includes Kiefer Ravena's tying lay up that is clearly a TRAVELING violation.

      So I think when it comes to the officiating of the game, I think everything went fair. Don't be so butthurt porket natalo lang.

      And that Jeron Teng game winner was just a payback for his tying lay up attempt from last years semis wherein the refs called it an out of bounds.

      Panapanahon lang yan.

      Delete
  17. IMO, I think Danding should restrain himself from sitting in the DLSU bench! He owns the future of these Ref associations... He is not only rich but powerful. He has never been known for his integrity...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. did you notice during the last or 2nd to the last time out of la salle, everyone (players, coaching staff) were listening to their coach. the only one looking away? danding cojuanco, staring down the refs.

      Delete
  18. ^Danding isnt even involved in the syndicate so he can be trusted. In fact, he along with other influential Lasallians have been fighting this problem and I think MVP is as well somewhat but not as hands on. Private investigations are ongoing and So far 2 syndicates are in existence, one controlled by a Lasallian with the last name of Lim and an Atenean; Trinidad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. co not be naive! Research Danding if you do not know him!

      Delete
  19. Sa lahat naman ata ng teams. pagnatalo kasalanan ng referees. Human nature to sour grape. Just the same as la salle's claim of a non call on the supposed buenafe foul on jeron teng during last year's match which led to ateneo winning the game. Similarly, as regards to the who has class and who doesn't issue. don't you think the ateneo bonfire burning the names of the dlsu players was also uncalled for? Just accept it guys, in one way or another this rivalry brings out the worst attitudes in people at times. Don't keep on pointing fingers as if showing that one side is the forever protagonist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rick i know you are friends with TJ Manotoc, pero grabe ang bias nila ni Boom pag Ateneo vs La Salle ang game.. Nako-kundisyon ung isip ng mga tao na tama laaht ng calls against Ateneo e, halatang halata.



      Delete
    2. I agree. Don't be bitter with the loss and justify the non-calls because both happened in both teams. Ateneo almost had the game but unfortunately Teng was able to hit the game winning shot. Better luck next games.

      Delete
    3. On that note, I miss Javier-Trillo (father) tandem, or Sev - (whoever). maski alam mo affiliation nila (btw Boom should be impartial çuz he's from neither) e hindi mo nakikitahan ng bias. banter was also kept to a tolerable but respectful level. Or for the even older, Dick Ildefonso. All Ateneans except ofc Trillo the dad. Manotoc's brand of analysis is one dimensional (like Jeron's offense)--- always harping on calls.

      Delete
  20. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2013/09/02/mendoza-bad-officiating-only-perfect-crime-game-301090

    ReplyDelete
  21. Rick, acc. to the grapevine, it was Tony Atayde who insulted Bo!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Excuses, excuses. Butthurt people must stop and accept that the championship years of Ateneo has gone to an end.

    Tell Kiefer to get his game back. To be honest, he's the future of our National Team. He just needs to get his explosiveness back. (Takot din siguro dahil sa injury)

    Also, please, enough with the flopping, Kief. That only reflects a lot on your ability as a player. You know you're much better than that.

    Regarding the foul on Ryan, yes that's a clear foul. Kiefer, again, flopped and that's clearly not an elbow from Jason Perkins. Bad shots were called on both teams and that includes Kiefer Ravena's tying lay up that is clearly a TRAVELING violation.

    So I think when it comes to the officiating of the game, I think everything went fair. Don't be so butthurt porket natalo lang.

    And that Jeron Teng game winner was just a payback for his tying lay up attempt from last years semis wherein the refs called it an out of bounds.

    Panapanahon lang yan.

    ReplyDelete