Post-UAAP numbers and some PBA links

By the Numbers

by rick olivares

Just to set things straight for those who are new to Bleachers’ Brew. The Ateneo Blue Eagles stories/columns/thoughts that I pen are not for Business Mirror, Rebound, interaksyon.com, inthezone.com.ph, or any other publication or website that I contribute material. They are for ateneo.edu, hence, a story from an Atenean point of view.

Maintaining my numbers theme for the Blue Eagles’ season…

In Game 1 of the Season 74 UAAP Finals, there were 51 different commercials that aired over Studio 23 that were spread out among 20 gaps of 5 minutes each (for 15 and 30 second commercials). That’s 100 minutes worth of commercials (or 1 hour and 40 minutes)!

Since 1994, the finals series went the full three games only 8 out of the 17 times (47%). The winner of Game One has gone on to win the title 14 out of 18 times (78%).

Ateneo is 5-1 when it wins Game One and they have a 7-2 record in finals series (which is pretty impressive).

Changes I’d like to see for the UAAP basketball tournament:

1.    That there be only one design from hereon regarding the trophies. Why do we need different designs for trophies year after year? What if the design sucks? It should be something like the Champions League Cup, the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Stanley Cup – oh, you mean this year’s trophy design paid homage to that – cool beans, honey! Quick – do you know how the trophy of five years ago looked like? Two years ago? See what I mean?

2.    The MVP or Mythical Five not be determined by statistical points alone and that the media, coaches, players, and league officials be allowed to vote.

3.    That all schools submit a list of the players taking their residency or on their Team B’s as soon as they enroll. This will prevent cheating and so-called excuses that a player was actually enrolled.

4.    There be hard and fast rules about recruiting such a letter of intent and the declaration of assets. Fat chance of this happening though.

5.    The waiving of the inane anti-student-athlete not to mention hypocritical Soc Rivera Rule.

6.    That there be a permanent table for the media in the venue.

7.    That a person (a pseudo-writer or photographer) not be allowed to cover the finals or final four if he/she was not a regular for the elimination round). They can watch – from the stands but not on the court or in the media room.

And as if one cue with the end of the UAAP Basketball season, the 37^th year of the Philippine Basketball Association opened last Sunday! And by my count, there are 21 new players for this new PBA season.

Taking a look at the rosters of the different teams, UE has the most number of players with 15 followed by Ateneo and La Salle who both have 14 each. FEU has 12 and UST has 9. For NCAA schools, Letran has the most number with 7 followed by San Sebastian with 6.

The new issue of Rebound magazine is out in your favorite bookstores and magazine stands and is also available in digital form. Check it out.