Down from the hill: My thoughts after Ateneo's Final Four loss to FEU.

This appears in the Monday, November 23, 2015 edition of the Business Mirror.

Down from the hill: My thoughts after Ateneo's Final Four loss to FEU.

by rick olivares

First of all, let me offer my congratulations to FEU. Good luck in the Finals.

Now that is out of the way, where do you begin after a painful loss like this?

You think, think some more and there are multiple images. 

You have to start with the dizzying last few seconds where Adrian Wong hightailed it down the court for what should or could have been a game winning layup. He missed (I thought that he got fouled by Monbert Arong). All I know is that Mac Belo scored with less than a second left and for the second straight season, Ateneo is ousted in the final play of the game.

I saw Coach Nash Racela race to the court with his fist up high then he suddenly realized that he was right in front of the Ateneo bench and he put on the breaks and began to shake hands. Some folks got angry at what seemed like a sign of disrespect but in all honesty, I doubt if he meant any jab.

There was Wong walking to the bench and punching the seat. He let out a cry of anguish. He could have won it for Ateneo but he bungled a layup that gave the ball to FEU one last time wherein they scored right at the buzzer. Mike Tolomia walked over to console him.

And my mind raced back to that Ateneo-UST game from 1985 when Pido Jarencio caught fire in the last few minutes dousing the slim Blue Eagle lead. That win ended Ateneo's chance of catching up to them for the right to play UE. With less than a minute left in the game and UST in firm control, Aric Del Rosario pulled out Jarencio but the King Glowing Goldie didn’t go to his bench but to Ateneo’s where he shook the hand of each and every player and said that their time will come.

Thirty years later, it is almost the same scenario. Except it is Tolomia consoling Wong and Matt Nieto who were both crying on the bench. Tolomia told them that their time will come. It is an eerie moment of deja vu. For when Pido Jarencio made that gesture, Jet Nieto, the father of Matt and Mike, was on the Blue Eagles’ bench. Two years after that, Jet was part of Ateneo’s first UAAP title team (and they won back-to-back championships).

There were the parents of the players. Some in tears, some in shock that it is all over. Some are angry at what they perceived was a crucial non-call during Wong’s layup attempt. Outside the coliseum, FEU freshman Wendell Comboy makes mano to the parents of Matt and Mike Nieto.

There was Bo Perasol who after the singing of the alma mater wanted to go forward to the Ateneo gallery and wave and say his goodbyes. But he was unsure of himself or if it would be all right. He turned to go to the dugout. I wanted to bring him to the front but the moment passed us by. And I apologized to him for not doing it when we talked inside the locker room post-match. 

Can you imagine that? That’s terrible.

Talk about missed opportunities. 

The concern of the coaching staff prior to the game was the rebounding battle. We lost badly, 45-33 with a 20-9 discrepancy on the offensive glass. None more damaging than that offensive rebound that Mac Belo hauled down and converted for the marginal points.

The Blue Eagles scored more points inside the lane and from the perimeter. It was really the second chance points that did us in — from that game tying triple by Roger Pogoy and Belo’s putback. FEU scored 19 to our 13 in second chance points. 

And there’s the matter of the fouls called, 16-24 in FEU’s favor that saw them take 32 attempts from the free throw line to Ateneo’s mere 16.

That was the game in a nutshell and that is all you need to know.

During days, or more appropriately, losses like this, old hurts and wounds come to the surface and you wonder which loss was actually more painful. There is no difference. They all hurt. Everyone of them.

But the pain and the hurtful scenes are juxtaposed with brighter ones. 

There was Von Pessumal who stood on a chair, not quite Enrico Villanueva that glorious night of October 5, 2002 when we celebrated a championship against La Salle. He raised two hands in a sign of thanks to the blue and white gallery. Then he thrust forth his jersey with the “Ateneo” in front for all to see. Imagine that… the guy is probably hurting more because he lived it and he is out there saying thank you.

There was Ponso Gotladera who himself was in tears. The words I heard from several weeks ago still ring in my ear — he was glad to change zip codes for it is in Ateneo where he was given a chance and where he blossomed. When it was all but over, he made his way to the stands to hug his mom, Janet, who would skip work just to see her boy play. It was a bittersweet sight.

Gotladera wasn’t the only one who made his way to the stands. There was Kiefer Ravena who sought out his mom, Mozzy, who sat next to Janet Gotladera. Kiefer carried the team for so long, endured trying times, and painful ones as well. But he gave the school five championships — three in the Juniors Division and two in the seniors. He is one of those players who we will tell our next generation of kin, “You should have seen the Phenom play…"

There were FEU’s drummers who belted out “Go Ateneo” as a sign of respect to which the Ateneo drums replied in kind. When was the last time we had that kind of sportsmanship? That was Season 70 right in the middle of the Finals between La Salle and UE where La Salle’s Pep Squad played “Go Ateneo” when Chris Tiu was named to the Mythical Five that season. 

On my way home, with my mind still ablaze with so many thoughts. They jumped from one thought to another until it settled on something that Fr. Ben Nebres wrote in his foreword to my first Ateneo book, The 18th Banner: “These championships do not come easily or often to us at the Ateneo and we savor them all the more.”

And that is true. We all know we cannot win them all the time. That is why the championships are special.

It’s a painful loss. Who wasn’t crying at the end? Assistant coach Xavy Nunag buried his face in his hands. Hubert Cani who didn’t play at all was in tears. 

"It didn’t end the way I wanted it to end," said Bo Perasol after the match. “I would have been nice to have sent the series to a do-or-die match.”

Perasol paused for half a minute…. maybe he was fighting off the pain of the loss; maybe he was still surprised that it was all over. But he recovered as we always do, "But we did give them (FEU) One Big Fight,” he grinned.

And you know what? He is right. Bad calls, non-calls aside, we were in a position to win. As for that One Big Fight? That is all we ever ask.

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Additional reading: The last interview of Bo Perasol as Ateneo head coach

UAAP Final Four Preview: UST vs NU

Redemption or Revenge

UST vs. NU

by rick olivares

The script is falling into place… but as to who rides into the sunset the hero is anyone’s guess.

The UST Growling Tigers have the opportunity to end nine years of futility and finally give its long suffering veterans a chance at cage glory. Their leader, Kevin Ferrer has been denied three times in the Finals — one as a senior in high school versus Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal and twice in the college finals against Ateneo and La Salle. Karim Abdul no longer as dominant as he was years ago but still plenty effective would like to go out with a bang as well. 

But the National University Bulldogs…. are in familiar territory as they win one elimination game after another and are in the unlikely position of going back into the Finals after looking dead in the water after its second round loss to Ateneo. 

Some Thomasians intimated that they wanted the Tigers to face NU more than Ateneo who matched up well against their team. They conveniently forget that it was the Bulldogs who dealt UST its first loss of Season 78, 55-54. The Tigers of course, got even in the second round with a 65-57 win.

Having said that, NU is the hottest team heading into the Final Four taking three straight over La Salle, UP, and FEU. The defending champions are in their territory. And they have the Tigers right where they want them.

During the Bulldogs’ fabled run in Season 77, they took down some tough nemesis and long-time tormentors along the way — Charles Mammie and the UE Red Warriors and the Ateneo Blue Eagles who they have been nipping at their claws for quite some time. 

Now… it’s UST and all the heartbreak they have inflicted on Ray Parks and company. Gelo Alolino and Kyle Neypes were around for some of those crushing losses in the semifinals of Seasons 75 and Season 76. It’s definitely time for payback…. if they can exact it. Furthermore, the one constant in those damning defeats was Kevin Ferrer shutting down and manhandling Parks.

UST averages 30.5 points in the first half and 29.0 in the second half against NU.

Nu averages 28 points per half.

This means that both teams even with the Bulldogs having two studs scoring in Alfred Aroga and Gelo Alolino, they can keep pace with UST’s Big Three. It is now up to the supporting casts to tilt the balance.

The margin for error is small. One big run at the end game like how UST took the second round match can swing the tide.

What does UST need to do to send NU packing?

They have to be concerned with the rebound battle. In both matches, NU outrebounded them and got more second chance points. When UST won their second match up, even if the Bulldogs still lost, they kept pace in terms of fast break points. You don’t want NU off to the races.

The Tigers like to play a man-zone that will shift to a 1-3-1 with Kevin Ferrer playing behind Abdul. That has allowed him to become a safety for his squad as well as a someone to clean up that glass. When Ferrer gets that ball, the do-it all swingman can also bring it down and set the play. 

Their Big Three of Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, and Karim Abdul need to score. Daquioag was stymied in the first round loss but in the second round encounter, all three got going offensively. But they will need Louie Vigil, Mario Bonleon, and Marvin Lee to do their part. That will allow their Big Three some rest and to conserve their fouls. It is hard to stop UST when they are getting major contributions from a lot of sources.

Especially Marvin Lee who will eventually inherit this team and become the King Tiger. Shades of Japs Cuan… a tough and gritty guard who can drive and kill you from the outside.

UST needs to attack NU’s interior. In both elims matches, UST took a lot of shots from the perimeter. Even in during their win, they were a poor 4/14 in layups against NU, that has is the league’s best defensive squad. If their outside artillery can’t find the mark, then they’ll be in lots of trouble against the Bulldogs whose guards all like to drive inside. 

In UST’s loss to NU, they shot better from three-point range than two-point range! In their win, they shot poorly once more. They need to get to the line and put NU into penalty and to hit some huge three-point bombs to get their gallery going.

While UST Coach Bong dela Cruz likes to talk defense, it has been their offense that has gotten them to where they are. So in this match up it will be the league’s second highest scoring team against the UAAP’s best defenders. Care to wager what wins championships?

What does NU need to do to send this to a do-or-die match?

Aside from playing defense, they need their Triple A Battery to get going — that’s Aroga, Alolino, and JJ Alejandro. NU has suffered from the lack of that third scorer. Last season, Alejandro came through late in the season. If he can reprise that then that puts NU in a huge position to advance and possibly win it all over again.

If they can prevent those booming and consecutive triples from energizing UST that would help. 

They will need Kyle Neypes to approximate Glenn Khobuntin. Neypes endured years of benching and poor play but became a part of the rotation last season and key one more so this year. It his scoring binges this second round that has allowed them to also stay in the hunt for a back-to-back title. They will need him.

Save for Alolino, NU’s backcourt has been largely ineffective. Rev Diputado and Alejandro need to get going. 

If Jonathan Tansingco and Jeff Javillionar can spell Aroga some quality minutes, NU will be in a position to forge a do-or-die game.

The game will come down to the team’s veteran leaders. Who can impose their will on this match and dictate plays. These are the games that make your reputations.

For UST it’s redemption after years of heartbreak. For NU, they’d love nothing more than to hand some payback and get another chance UAAP glory.

UAAP Final Four Preview: FEU vs Ateneo

A glorious or tragic end to an era

FEU vs. Ateneo

by rick olivares

When second seed Far Eastern University and third seed Ateneo de Manila University clash on Saturday, it will be for the right to go to the Finals and close out a glorious chapter in its current team’s history.

FEU, the top scoring team this season with 74.7 points per game, is the prohibitive favorite to send Ateneo packing and to end the Blue Eages’ tenure of Bo Perasol, Kiefer Ravena, and Von Pessumal on a sour note. You can say that they wanted this match up simply because they have defeated Ateneo twice in the elimination round.

They want to win as well because this is the last hurrah for many of its veterans — Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, and Francis Tamsi. Russel Escoto go opt to leave as well but because he missed out a year he might come back. But that means he will be in his seventh year in college. Not sure if he will want that. Both Russel and Mike sat out their freshman years while serving a tour of duty on the RP Youth Team. They came back in time to join a FEU team that was destroyed in the Finals by Ateneo (Season 74). 

So Tolomia and company know all about heartache as they have fallen twice now in the finals (the other was to NU last season). It has been a 10-year title drought for FEU; the last was in 2005 when Arwind Santos, Mark Isip, and Denok Miranda led them to the UAAP’s basketball summit. 

For Ateneo that is in the middle of most statistical categories, now is the time to raise the level of their game. Furthermore, Ravena, Pessumal, and Gwyne Capacio are the last links to its recent championship glory. They would love nothing more than to crown their college careers with one last title. 

The last time Ateneo and FEU clashed in the Final Four was in Season 63 when the Blue Eagles had a twice-to-beat advantage over the Tamaraws (featuring Celino Cruz, Edwin Bacani, Leo Avenido, and Miko Roldan). The Blue Eagles defeated FEU twice in the elimination round and it looked like they would walk all over the Tams to enter the Finals in Joe Lipa’s second year at the helm.

But Andrew Cruz missed two free throws that would have given Ateneo a three-point lead with seconds left. What ensued was an improbable Miko Roldan jumper at the buzzer that crushed Atenean hearts everywhere for a 61-60 win. Then in Game Two, buoyed by the win, Cruz and Bacani combined for 39 points to crush Ateneo for the king-sized upset.

Can Ateneo return the favor or can FEU continue its mastery against its Katipunan-based foe?

For FEU to win they will need to do several things:

Own the boards. In their two elimination round victories, they won the battle of the rebounds.

They will need to move that ball around and get a lot of their players involved in the offense. In those two games, they had more assists than Ateneo and at least three players in double digits (their opening day win against the Blue Eagles saw four players score at least 10 points). In fact, their bench scores the most in the league with 37.4 points a match to Ateneo’s 29.7. 

They will need to shut down Von Pessumal. Twice now they kept him below 10 points. In the last outing, Roger Pogoy blocked Pessumal’s first two attempts and later rejected a third shot. That left Kiefer Ravena trying to win the game by his lonesome. Ravena did get some help from Adrian Wong but Ateneo needs more options. Sometimes, it is so obvious what they want to do and they waste so much time trying to get someone untracked (fighting through screens) that they take a lot of jumpers under duress. 

For Ateneo to win, they will need to do several things:

Stop taking freaking jumpers and attack that basket. If the others keep chucking up shots, they should just give the ball to Aaron Black who likes to drive to the hoop.

They will need Chib Ikeh to play solid basketball where he doesn’t fall for ball fakes and where he dunks the ball instead of throwing up soft shots.

They need to get some scoring inside not just from Ikeh but also from Ponso Gotladera, GBoy Babilonia, and Isaac Go.

If Arvin Tolentino can show up that would be huge.

And lastly, not collapse in the fourth period (in addition to playing defense not in stretches but for the entire game).

Prior to its loss to UE in the last game of the second round, Ateneo was on a roll while FEU was floundering taking losses to UST and NU and they flirted with disaster (whether it was done on purpose or not) with La Salle before they pulled off a win no thanks to the Green Archers’ inability to put the ball in the hoop).

Right now, FEU has the experience and the stats stacked in their favor. But that isn’t always the case in determining who moves on. The outcome will also depend on coaching and adjustments. And how many players show up for this big game.

These are the stuff that have kept me busy which why I have not been writing

This is what I have been working on the past couple of weeks that has somewhat curtailed by daily writing. 

The PBA Hardcourt Annual should be out by the end of November while National University's book about their CDC team should be out before Christmas.

As a long time fan of the Philippine Basketball Association who went to the games and bought magazines about the league, not to mention the annuals, this was a dream come true and something off my bucket list. I apologize for the delay. I do hope that the coffeetable book approach will make up for it.

This was a fun thing to write. What a story. Hope we do it justice.

UAAP Men's Basketball Season Reviews: La Salle and UE

CLICK ON THE LINK TO PHILSTAR.COM TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE. http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/11/19/1523655/archers-warriors-finish-lackluster-uaap-season

If I look at La Salle’s performance this past UAAP season, it mirrored their summer campaign — they got by early with their small ball then when took a bunch of losses late before ultimately crashing. They lost five matches in the second round; devastating ones.

How do we rate UE's season? Sure it is disappointing because everyone wants to book a Final Four slot, but with a practically different line-up, they competed and sure put the fear of Derrick Pumaren’s trademark fullcourt press on every team.

The father of Hubert Cani refutes report of transferring to another college

The Canis reached out to me last night after an article was released purporting that son, Hubert was thinking of transferring. It's completely false. Since Hubert was in third year high school, I have counseled not only him but many high school players where they should go for college. And no, I do not necessarily send them towards Loyola Heights. I sent one to UST, another to UE; many are in other UAAP or NCAA schools. You send them where they can best fit in and not because of any blue and white blood I have. I even call up some coaches asking if this kid can tryout for their squad.

The Canis have been friends for awhile now and I have had to work extra time to help Hubert with his confidence and low morale. At no time this past season did they ever say that they thought about transferring and WE TALK EVERY WEEK. I EVEN INFORMED HIM OF THE CHISMIS THAT HUBERT WAS TRANSFERRING AND HE LAUGHED. Even the father has chided the son for his poor play even saying that if he were the coach, he'd bench him for his inability to contribute.

Last night, unaware of the article floating around, the father reached out and asked to pass on a message:

Jon Jon Cani: For those who were able to read the write up concerning my son, Hubert Cani thinking of transferring to another school, we are quite ashamed of the news that is based on mere speculation and hearsay and not the truth. We do not have bigger heads now that we are with Ateneo since we owe the school a lot. We are lucky and blessed since they have been treating our son very well. During this current UAAP season, we have been in constant communication with Sir Rick Olivares and Coach Bo Perasol, who both continue to motivate and guide our son. Yes, our son's morale and self esteem is currently down and playing time is down. For the first four games, we really felt bad but we realized that the guard rotation has been effective enough to win games and were honestly happy and supportive with how things are as part of the team. With this issue, stories being passed from one person may have changed and was misquoted. We were able to adapt to the current situation given the support by other co parents such as Ms. Mozzy Ravena. After the game last Sunday against La Salle, she even gave us an inspirational message wherein she mentioned that she supports our son and to be patient with the minutes we are aspiring which we were all able to accept even prior to the said game.

I am making this statement since we are in shock why this write up came out. Maybe it was to create road bumps in the system that Ateneo is running or to destroy the current momentum that team has.

Again, I am really sorry for this confusion. Let us all continue to support Team Ateneo.

One Big Fight.


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SM Sports takes over MMBL high school caging

SM Sports takes over MMBL high school caging

by rick olivares

SM Sports Development has come in as principal sponsor for the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) and the Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL).

Both programs are grassroots basketball development leagues for high schools with the NBTC concentrated in the provinces while the MMBL features primarily schools in Metro Manila. 

"SM saw how the NBTC has played a major role in grassroots basketball development throughout the country,” said Christian Jan “CJ” Suarez, the former world champion bowler who is now the Sports Development Head of SM Sports. “When Seaoil let go of their sponsorship, we decided to pick up the baton."

The NBTC is now on its ninth year while the MMBL, the country’s third oldest high school competition is on its 33rd year. The 33rd MMBL takes place from November 2015 up to January 2016 and involves 40 schools from the Metro Manila area that are fielded a total of 76 teams. 

“We have five core sports in SM Sports,” clarified Suarez who as a professional bowler last competed in the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar. “That’s tenpin bowling, speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and basketball." 

“Right now, it’s all about giving back to sports that has been good to me. We’re looking for ways to help others as well.”

During the MMBL’s opening weekend held last November 7 and 8 at the San Beda Gym #1, NU-A defeated UST-A 76-67, Lyceum defeated Ateneo 75-67, SBIS trounced Arellano-B 68-58, UST crushed SJCS-A 67-53, Perpetual Help bowled over SJCS-B 67-53 while EDSCI mowed down San Beda-C 86-67.

For the matches played at San Beda Gym #2, defending champions Chiang Kai Shek topped Arellano-A 57-47. NCAA Juniors champs San Beda-A dispatched Xavier-A 70-53, San Beda-B squeaked past CKSC-B 57-55, EAC-ICA-A outlast DLSAU-A 79-68, San Beda-D walloped OLOPSCI 58-49, and MPS outraced Adamson-A, 95-83.

Check out the cover to the PBA Hardcourt Annual for the 40th Season

Here's the cover to the upcoming PBA Hardcourt Annual. I apologize for the delays. Hopefully, with the way we approached the production of this annual, it will be well worth the wait. Should be out in three weeks.

That big Ateneo 2nd round win over La Salle: That familiar fire and the F-word

That familiar fire and the F-word

by rick olivares

You feel that familiar fire in your body with every win? How about that bounce in your step as the Ateneo Blue Eagles continue their inexorable march to the Final Four and hopefully, beyond?

No one likes to bring up the “F-word” (for "Five-peat" you dirty-minded mongrel) as it is long over….. but there are subtle reminders… Kief’s still there and so are Von and Gwyne. And there’s a Black on the team. Except he’s a sparkplug off the bench and not the coach patrolling the sidelines. If you want more links to our storied past — well, Gene Afable is still there as an assistant coach and there are the Nietos. Not Jet who is a long ways done with his playing career and now sits a few rows behind the team but his twin sons Mike and Matt. Matt whose game resembles Olsen Racela’s so much that I have a fit every time he drives and takes those shots (yes, I saw Olsen play from third year high to the RP Youth to the Blue Eagles to Purefoods to San Miguel the entire evolution of his game). Also on the bench is Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo who drilled that backbreaker of a triple against La Salle in Game Three for the 2002 championship. Oh, Quimpo’s team knows something all about poor first round performances and second round streaks (not to mention miracle wins).

And for good measure, there’s a mighty assist from our neighbours in the Western end of Katipunan Avenue with Ronnie Magsanoc who helped end UP’s long title drought in 1986. When you think about it, the Blue Eagles team that Gene Afable and Jet Nieto played on also ended Ateneo’s title drought (1987-88). 

All those winners on the sidelines who are helping the team put it all together... that’s like loading up on good karma credits.

Could there be a chance…? Definitely. Although it isn't easy as it is still stacked against Ateneo but as officially the hottest team in this second round, the Blue Eagles are peaking at the right time.

Now in this game, the Blue Eagles grabbed one huge win against that familiar old nemesis, La Salle. And it was like when the blue and white used to slap the league silly with one win after another. 

Ateneo and La Salle run pro-style offenses. The Blue Eagles seem at times to prefer isolation plays while the Green Archers run the dribble drive (in the PBA there are three types — motion, dribble drive and the triangle).

During the first half La Salle seemed like they could do no wrong as their dribble drive worked to perfection. Jeron Teng played the excellent role of facilitator while finding his teammates with aplomb. Then Joshua Torralba flashed Von Pessumal three fingers after hitting a shot from the left corner. And I thought, shades of Robert Bolick years ago. Don’t get cocky, kid.

The Green Archers were very aggressive on offense racking up points, assists, and fouls on Ateneo. The Blue Eagles’ response wasn’t what Bo Perasol had in mind. “Gigil,” he lamented later on. "Sobra." That's how the best laid plans of men and mice sometimes happen when you want to get back at a foe who took the first round match up. Yet, the fundamental mistake was not being able to close down shooters like Torralba.

The result was 14 inside points (coming from 6 assists) for La Salle to the paltry 4 for the blue and whites in the first quarter and a 23-13 score for the former.

It was the bench, led by Aaron Black that anchored that second quarter comeback. La Salle didn’t have anyone who could guard the son of Norman whose first step is spell binding. That floater over a flailing Abu Tratter was a thing of beauty.

Then there’s that thing from the F-word of seasons past — that halftime adjustment. Packing the lane, closing down the shooters, and giving La Salle a dose of their dribble drive. It was a reversal of the first round script. That 23-9 third quarter blitz — remember those third quarter binges during the five — ahhhh there’s that f-word again — saw Ateneo take control of the game. 

The result was as close as to masterful win as there was.

Starters: Ateneo 43 points to La Salle’s 39

Bench: Ateneo 30 to La Salle’s 23 points

Rebounds: 48-34 with a 15-11 edge in offensive boards by Ateneo

2nd Chance Points: 10-0 for Ateneo

Fastbreak points: 14-2 for Ateneo

Steals: 2-0

Blocks: 5-1

Free throws: 23/31 (74%) to La Salle’s 12/24 (50%)

La Salle scored 34 inside points to Ateneo’s 26

Had 15 assists to Ateneo’s mere 6!

And 20 turnovers points to Ateneo’s 9.

And the scoring punch to help Kiefer Ravena? 

Von Pessumal scattered 17 points including seven big points in the final quarter. His contributions are crucial. During the first round, he was hardly a factor in the fourth period. This second round, he has definitely made his presence felt. 

Ravena finished with 15 while Black chipped in 13 and Adrian Wong had 10.

La Salle could only count on the magnificent Prince Rivero (16 points) to back up Teng’s 11.

The other big plus that went Ateneo’s way? 

The halftime cheering by the Blue Babble Battalion and ye good old F-word -- Fight! As in One Big Fight.

Let the NUs, USTs, and UPs have their Cheer Dance titles. All we want to do is cheer our old cheers, songs, yells, and win championships. With BBB alumni and alumnae on hand to back up the current crop -- that was perhaps the best halftime cheering all season long. The cheers were so loud that my hair stood up! I am plenty sure that helped spur on the team on in the second half and towards the end game.

There was a moment that was like deja vu of the negative kind as Adrian Wong once more slipped and a Green Archer hightailed in for their lone-fastbreak layup. The same thing happened in the first game. But this time, Ateneo was more resilient and withstood the last ditch rally by La Salle. 

And the result is a huge 73-62 win (you also have to consider the distractions from the Chib Ikeh incident as well) to give Ateneo a 9-4 record solidifying a spot in the — here’s that F-word - “Final Four" where we hope to land a spot in the "F"inals.

Ah, but you already knew that.

OBF!

With the Man... Von Pessumal

With former Blue Eaglet sharpshooter and good friend Raffy Veloso

With members of the UAAP swim champs

With former Blue Eagle Jobe Nkemakolam and Rolly Manlapaz

With CJ Perez who will be on the Blue Eagles' roster in Season 79

That FEU loss to UST: The weight of expectations

This appears on the Monday, November 9, 2015 edition of the Business Mirror.

The weight of expectations

by rick olivares

With the loss by the FEU Tamaraws to the UST Growling Tigers — twice in the eliminations — what does this mean for their UAAP Season 78 campaign?

In their first round encounter, FEU couldn’t dig themselves out of an early hole. In their second meeting, they raced to an early lead that once lost, was never regained. Some teams just have your number. The question is, should they meet in the finals — could the third time be the charm? 

Possibly.

The team that turned that trick in recent memory was Ateneo in Season 73. The Blue Eagles lost both elims matches to — FEU — but once in the Finals, made short work of the Tams.

While it is of significance that those Blue Eagles were two-time defending champs, it should be noted they lost three starters from the previous squads.

Some opine that championship experience plays a big factor. I think it helps but only to a certain degree. Or else how do you account for FEU beating defending champs La Salle in 2005 or Ateneo also upending the Green Archers in 2008? 

The Tigers have several vets who played in the UAAP Finals - Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, Karim Abdul, and Jon Sherrif. FEU has a few in Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Mac Belo, and Russel Escoto. 

Aside from remaining veterans, blue chip rookies, and experience, the one thing that cannot be factored in is hunger and peaking at the right time.

There is pressure now on both squads to win for next year they will somewhat be decimated by the graduation of many key players. Of the two, there is slightly greater pressure on FEU as they were tabbed to be favorites to win it as defending champions National University has clearly been affected by the manpower shortage.

The knock on FEU since the Arwind Santos days is they lack the mental fortitude to compete and that they collapse at the worst possible times. After bowling over Ateneo in their season debut, they fell to UST. At the time of that loss, critics once more brought up that mental toughness issue. The Tams responded with big wins over other league teams. The endured spirited rallies and late game meltdowns to fashion out wins. But the loss to UST once more casts serious doubts on their title aspirations.

Since the first round when UST established itself as a legitimate contender, the pressure to continue their roll has been on. The response — a huge win over FEU — gives them an advantage in the first two seats of the Final Four and that psychological edge over the Tamaraws.

In my opinion, the Tigers tend to do better when there aren’t expectations. There’s 2006 and the 2012 when they won and placed second. In the succeeding campaigns of 2007 and 2013, they didn’t do so well more so the latter after that galling loss in the Finals that to this day has many UST alums shaking their heads in dismay.

If we go by that logic, this could be the Tigers’ year. 

Of course, it isn’t over by a long shot. In what is one of the more hotly contested seasons we have seen — there are still several teams with chances to win it all — Ateneo that is peaking at the right time; La Salle which has had an up and down season but are capable of turning things around of if they get their heads together; NU that is still dangerous; and UE that is on the outside looking in.

It seems fitting that the top two teams slug it out for the crown but that isn’t always the case. UST, with a 6-6 record in 2006 defeated top-seed Ateneo to claim the crown. The Blue Eagles accomplished a Cinderella season of their own in 2002 where they parlayed a 9-5 record into the Final Four where they dispatched UE that had a twice-to-beat advantage then took the title from La Salle in three.

Having said that, the last several times the first and second seeds played each other in the UAAP Finals was Season 75 (Ateneo and UST respectively), Season 73 (FEU and Ateneo), Season 71 (Ateneo and La Salle), and Season 70 (UE and La Salle).

One thing is sure, a team that puts on a late run from the second round into the Final Four usually wins while teams that sputter don’t really go the full route.

On where you can purchase the Baby Dalupan Maestro book

“The Maestro” book is unfortunately not currently available at National Bookstore and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. HOWEVER, it is available at the Fully Booked bookstore in Greenbelt, Rockwell, and Katipunan Ave., QC. It is also available at the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, through the Loyola Schools Bookstore, the University Athletics Office, and the Ateneo Alumni Association. For questions or more details, please email CoachBabyDalupanBook@gmail.com. Thank you very much!

My new new book project!

Working on a book about the National University Cheer Dance team and their incredible rise to the top story. This is the crew that I am working with on this book that will be out very soon.

Check out the new LeBrons!

What a great design! The shoe was produced to commemorate LBJ's reaching the 25,000-point milestone.

The design below reminds me of the Air Jordan worn during the successful 1990-91 season of the Chicago Bulls.

Gerald Tabios' post NYC Marathon thoughts

Before reading this, you might want to check out my previous entry before Gerald Tabios' NY Marathon run in this link

Gerald's thoughts on the run (he finished in 3:41:12):

The race was amazing and the weather was just perfect. I went out too fast at halfway through the marathon at 1:38:24 averaging at 8 min/mile but for whatever reason I experienced cramping in my toes in the last five miles and finished the race in 3:41:12 which I average at 8:27min/mile. But last year’s NYCM despite of braving the cold and windy condition, I finished the race in 3:33:24. Some runs are just bad runs and bad runs happen. However, I am always happy everytime I cross the finish line. I always try my best and my success is based on my effort, but not the achievements of others.

The New York Marathon is so far the best marathon. It has the best crowds ever, and the ethnic diversity along the course is hearing a different kind of noise. It is not an easy course, but the cheering spectators can push you up to the end. I also noticed that this years NYCM is a day after halloween, I saw a lot of runners dressed up in some wacky outfits.

Lastly, even though I was born in the Philippines, New York is now my second hometown, I love my hometown race and that drives me to keep on running this race. After 11th NYC finishes, I have no plans on ending my streak in the future.

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Gerald is someone I met online as he reads my blog, Bleachers Brew. We both lived in NYC at the same time but never met. Hopefully soon, I get to move back to my favorite city in the world and meet up with my friend here. Good run and good job, Gerald.