UAAP Season 78: Looking at Ateneo's bounce back win over UP

Looking at Ateneo’s bounce back win over UP

by rick olivares

What am I looking at after Ateneo’s 56-43 win over UP?

Three things: how the Blue Eagles did defensively, their free throw shooting, and how they held up in the fourth quarter.

Let’s look at it one at a time.

Defense

UP grabbed 57 total boards to Ateneo’s 53. The Blue Eagles though had more defensive rebounds, 36-32.

Ateneo had one more steal, 4-3, and more blocks, 9-6.

Ateneo allowed only 7 points off turnovers (while scoring 16 points of their own from UP turnovers)

Ateneo was able to challenge 73 of UP’s 78 FGs of which they hit only 17 shots. Conversely, UP contested 55 of the Blue Eagles’ 65 attempts of which 13 went in.

Before the match, UP was averaging 60.4 points in five matches. They are actually dead last in scoring (Adamson that hasn’t won a game yet scores four more points a game). Ateneo held the Fighting Maroons to a season low by any team thus far -- 43 points.

By game’s end, Ateneo moved up a notch higher to #4 in the team defense rankings.

In this match versus UP, I thought that the Blue Eagles took a lot of the fight out of the Maroons early in the game. Sure they had that early third quarter blitz where they scored seven straight points. But they started the game in similar fashion. When Ateneo clamped down defensively, UP struggled again.

Both Kiefer Ravena and Chibueze Ikeh came up huge defensively today. Ravena was still in the midst of a prolonged slump but he played defense all throughout. Kief grabbed 11 boards and had two steals. He nearly had two others as well. Ikeh literally rebound from a poor performance against UST as he hauled down 16 rebounds and swatted away three shots. He forced UP to try other shots on several occasions. 

If Ateneo wants to go deep this season, they will need Ikeh to be consistent in his performances.

Free throws

Since that opening day blowout loss to FEU where the Blue Eagles made 11 of 12 FT attempts, it has gone downhill for them from the 15-foot line.

4-10 vs Adamson 40%

22-43 vs NU 51%

16-27 vs UE 59%

10-17 vs UST 59%

Against, UP, Ateneo was 13-24 for 54%.

Ateneo is fourth in total free throw attempts with 133 but is a poor seventh in accuracy.

It is a waste because these are valuable points.

Against UP, Ateneo completed two three-point plays. 

Completed two free throws 1

Split two free throws 8x

Missed both free throws 2x

They really need to work on their free throw shooting.

The endgame

As for the endgame collapses, here is how Ateneo previously did in the final quarter or period of overtime:

FEU 24-15 Ateneo

Adamson 12-22 Ateneo

NU 14-15 (4th quarter) Ateneo NU 8-12 Ateneo in 2nd OT 

UE 22-14 Ateneo

UST 26-6 Ateneo

UP 12-11 Ateneo

Opponent 18.3-13.8 Ateneo in the fourth period

Opponent 17.3 - 13.3 Ateneo including the 2nd period of OT

This is of great concern because they do not close out games particularly well. They have been finding ways to win ugly games and all. Hopefully, the coaching staff can remedy this as soon as possible (with La Salle coming up).

Breaking down 4th Qtr performances further:

Vs. FEU

Ponso Gotladera 7 minutes = 6 points

Von Pessumal 10 minutes = 5 points

Kiefer Ravena 7 minutes = 0 points

Vs. Adamson

Ravena 2 minutes = 6 points

Jerie Pingoy 6 minutes = 5 points

Pessumal 5 minutes = 0 points

Vs. NU

4th Period

Ravena 10 minutes = 7 points

Pessumal 10 minutes = 0 points

2nd OT

Chibueze Ikeh 5 minutes = 6 points

Ravena 5 minutes = 3 points

Pessumal 5 minutes = 3 points

Vs. UE

Ravena 9 minutes = 8 points

Pessumal 10 minutes = 0 points

Vs. UST

Pessumal 10 minutes = 2 points

Ravena 10 minutes = 1 point

Vs. UP

Ravena 9 minutes = 7 points

Pessumal 9 minutes = 0 points

Kiefer has been playing 34 minutes a game while Von is on the court for 31 minutes.

My thoughts on this match:

Gotta give credit to the coaching staff. There is improvement in ball rotation, in team defense, in the sets they run. They just need to work on their free throws, shooting, and end game. 4-2 isn’t so bad. Thanks.

Someone opined to me that the UP team we played was reeling from their recent crashes. Regardless. They have always played Ateneo strong whether they went winless or they were contenders. 

I think credit must be given to Ateneo for playing great defense. The Blue Eagles aren’t totally in sync yet. Some players are inconsistent, some are underperfoming, while some are revelations. I figure they will have worked out the kinks by the start of the second round.

We need to point out that Von Pessumal has rebounded quite well from the poor outing against NU. However, the other players really really need to step up so the load can be shared. If you have watched Ravena through the years, he is all about passing the ball to teammates and helping them. If he gets more rest, he will be more effective in the crunch.

Props to Ikeh for a superb game. Ditto with John Apacible who is 10/10 in FGs!

Matt Nieto… it’s like watching Olsen Racela all over again.

2015 FIBA Asia: Looking at the QF battle between Lebanon & the Philippines

Lebanon's Jean Abdel-Nour and Jay Youngblood talk during a lull in their battle with Jordan.

Looking at the QF battle between Lebanon & the Philippines

by rick olivares pic from fiba

One of the FIBA tournament’s hottest teams (second only to host China) goes up against a sputtering squad that has seen better days.

The Philippines, ranked #31 in the world, has won five straight after losing its opening assignment against Palestine. Lebanon, ranked three places behind the Filipinos, have not been the power they once were since Fadi El Khatib and Joe Vogel were in uniform. They are 3-3 heading into their quarterfinals match against the Filipinos. 

Background:

The Lebanese are making their first appearance in the FIBA Asia Championships after missing out the last tourney in Manila. Lebanon was suspend by the cage body for government interference in the national sports association’s affairs, hence, their missing out in the event despite finishing third in the West Asian cage championships.

In their return, the Cedars, as Lebanon is nicknamed, have struggled for they have a young squad (average of 26 years of age). The studs who led them to glory in recent years — Fadi El Khatib, Joe Vogel, Loren Woods, Matt Freije, Ali Mahmoud, and Rony Fahed have all retired from national team duty.

Its more recent stars, Jean Abdel-Nour and Rodrigue Akl have been struggling. Abdel-Nour, who inherited El Khatib’s spot at the three-spot has 7.5 points per game.

Filipinos got their first look at Abdel-Nour during the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup held in Manila where Lebanon’s Al Riyadi won the championship over Mahram Iran. Abdel-Nour scored 21 points to back up El Khatib’s international swan song with 41 markers.

Naturalized player Jay Youngblood has carried Lebanon with 19.0 ppg with power forward Mohamad Haidar adding 14.3 points and 6.7 boards per game. Ahmad Ibrahim who also plays small forward and has only played in three matches, is outperforming Abdel-Nour with 12.3 points in 15 minutes per game (the latter plays over 25 minutes). Shooting guard Amir Saoud puts up 11.3 points per game while shooting 48% from three-point country.

Matching up against the Philippines:

Lebanon has a lot to be concerned about. 

They can score, no doubt, as the Cedars are the fourth highest scoring team in the tournament averaging 84.3 points per game. However, the Philippines is second behind Iran with 90.5

Defensively, head coach Vesselin Matic’s troops aren’t that great. The Lebanese are 10th in rebounding 39.8 boards an outing. The Filipinos on the other hand, grab 49.0 a match. That’s a 10 rebound difference.

They are one of the better squads in taking care of the ball as they commit 13.7 errors an outing. But the Philippines is one of the better ball handling teams as they only give the ball away 11.7 times a game.

But the greatest concerns for Matic (who coached Iran to the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship) is his team's propensity for endgame collapses.

In their six matches in the competition so far, the Cedars have been outscored in five of six last periods including overtime. Luckily, they tend to score a lot earlier providing them with a buffer to withstand those searing last ditch rallies.

The Filipinos, in their three matches of the second round saw them overhaul first half deficits. Once they took the lead they never let go.

As for the match-ups, can the Lebanese stop Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche? Do they have an answer for Terrence Romeo and Clvin Abueva who have proven to be impact subs for Philippines head coach Tab Baldwin.

Starting point guard Wael Arakji is only 21 years old. He will be matched up against Castro who is eight years his senior. The Lebanese guard stands 6’4” while his Filipino counterpart is 5’10”. Castro however is much much quicker and has a wealth of big game experience. Arakji averages 9.5 points and 3.2 assists while Castro scored 16.2 points and passes off 2.3 assists. Edge to Castro.

At shooting guard, Youngblood has the edge of Dondon Hontiveros with a stat live of 19.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg to the latter’s 6.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg. Edge to Youngblood.

At small forward, Abdel-Nour will go up against Gabe Norwood. Abdel-Nour has better stats than the Filipino but the latter is a defensive stopper. Edge to the Lebanese player but slightly.

At power forward, 6’8” Bassel Bawji scores 7.0 ppg and pulls down 5.8 boards an outing. Matched up against Marc Pingris who produces only 3.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg. Edge to Lebanon.

At center, the 6’8” Haidar (14.3ppg and 6.7 rpg) loses out to Blatche who norms 16.2 ppg and 8.0 rpg. Edge to the Philippines. 

Lebanon might have the edge with three starters but Castro and Blatche are arguably all-tournament.

Definitely, the battle will not be won on paper. Both teams have their own weapons. The Philippines though is the favorite to prevail because of their momentum and they are peaking at the right time. The bench that also delivers will also have a bearing on the outcome of the match in this win-or-go-home affair.

Contributing to the Coach Baby Dalupan book

This is the cover to the upcoming book on the great Baby Dalupan. The book will be out on October 19, 2015 with a launch at the Ateneo de Manila. 

I used to write stories about Coach Baby's teams in Ateneo (where he was teammates with the late Moro Lorenzo). It was a series of stories titled, "Post-War Blues" as it was about the post-World War II years as the Blue Eagles crashed year in and out of NCAA title contention (yet winning a football championship).

While writing some of those stories, I interviewed Coach extensively in addition to having access to a  late Jesuit priest's diary about those teams. I also had stories in the Guidon and other Ateneo publications as reference. 

When I got asked by the Dalupan family to contribute to the book, I leapt at the chance. Why not? They used a couple of my articles on Coach's Ateneo teams then I wrote the chapters on Crispa and Great Taste. Mind you this isn't exactly a biography. It partly is. It's about the different facets of his life from the view of the sportswriters who covered him. 

Other people who contributed to the book include Coach Tim Cone (the foreword), Tessa Jazmines who wrote the chapter on Purefoods, and Sandy Arespacochaga among a few others.

More details on the launch as I get it.

2015 FIBA Asia: Looking at India ahead of its clash with the Philippines

This appears on rappler.com

Looking at India ahead of its clash with the Philippines 

by rick olivares pic from fiba

There have been a couple of huge upsets in this FIBA Asia. 

There was that opening day 75-73 shocker that Palestine pulled on the Philippines. And there was that 72-64 eyebrow-raiser that an already eliminated Chinese Taipei fashioned over over erstwhile unbeaten Qatar. And last Sunday, there was India winning one of its biggest games in its young basketball history with a 73-70 victory over a Palestine squad that swept its first round assignments.

India finished the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships, 11th in a 15-team field with a 2-6 record winning its two matches by an average of 17.0ppg and losing its six other assignments by an average of 23.8ppg. 

In that tournament, six-foot-three forward Vishesh Bhriguvanshi led India in scoring with 13.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg while 6’8” center Amjyot Singh normed 9.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg.

In the 2015 edition of the FIBA Asia Championships, at this stage early in the second round, India is 3-2, and are 2-0 in the second round following wins over Palestine and Hong Kong, 76-71.

You might say that it is only halfway through and the Indians who count cricket as its national game and not basketball could stand to lose more.

Before we dig into FIBA Competition, 7’2” Satnam Singh, who played in the 2013 games in Manila, is the first Indian to be drafted in the NBA when the Dallas Mavericks selected him 52nd overall. And their performance in this 2015 FIBA Asia tournament has Indians taking notice that perhaps there is a sport where they can excel outside cricket. 

Even without Satnam who is playing in the NBA D-League at the moment, here’s one barometer that the Indians are performing better.

In the 2013 games, Iran crushed them by 44 points, 102-58.

In their first round battle of the 2015 FIBA Asia, Iran won only by 22 points. That is half the previous tourney’s margin. During that 2013 massacre, Iran won each and every quarter. This tourney? India looked bad in the first period before they rebounded in the second frame where they actually outscored the defending champions, 19-12. They also hung tough in the second half, as they scored 36 points to Iran’s 49. The Iranians had that 27-11 first quarter buffer to hold off the Indians rallies. As Bhriguvanshi said post-match, “We played with better cohesion against the Iranians but we were beaten by a far more experienced line-up."

Amjyot Singh is one reason why the Indians are playing better. The lanky 23-year old center is showing an improved post-up game and a stronger drive to the basket. He is now averaging a double-double for India with 25.4 points and 7.0 boards an outing. 

India’s other center, 6’10” Amritpal Singh is averaging 11.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game giving the Young Cagers a trio who can carry them. 

Bhriguvanshi in this 2015 competition is norming 14.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.

Looking at the Philippines match-up:

Prior to the Hong Kong match, India was 11th in the 16-team field averaging 76.5 points per outing. The Young Cagers will go up against the second highest scoring team in the tournament in the Philippines whose 89.3 points a match is behind Iran’s high of 101.8 points.

Team Philippines will go up against a tall Indian line up (average height is 6’4”) but is still raw for all their accomplishments

The Filipinos know the capabilities of this Indian team as they met in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup where the Filipinos prevailed by a mere four points, 70-66. The Philippines played well in the first half but the second half was another story as the Indians outscored the Chot Reyes mentored squad 33-25. Like the recent Iran match, India started slow. They rallied and held the Philippines scoreless in the last four minutes of the match.

Amjyot Singh didn’t play particularly well in that match as Amritpal and Bhriguvanshi led India. But Amjyot looks a lot more spry and athletic now.

They are more concerned how their guards will match up against the Philippines’ corps led by Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and Dondon Hontiveros that is better playmaking-wise as well as offensively and defensively. 

There are two imperatives for the Philippines. One is to take out India’s guards in order to make it difficult for the Young Cagers’ bigs to get the ball in a position they like. 

Second, the Philippines’ big men (Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Marc Pingris) to stay foul free and to attack the young Indian line-up inside. There is concern that the Filipinos’ play drops when center Andray Blatche (especially after he hurt his ankle against Japan) and point guard Jayson Castro take their customary rest. If the Philippines wants to go even more deep in the tourney the other starters as well as the bench must hold their own.

2015 FIBA Asia: Jayson Castro is still the best point guard in Asia

This appears on rappler.com

Looking at India ahead of its clash with the Philippines 

by rick olivares

There have been a couple of huge upsets in this FIBA Asia. 

There was that opening day 75-73 shocker that Palestine pulled on the Philippines. And there was that 72-64 eyebrow-raiser that an already eliminated Chinese Taipei fashioned over over erstwhile unbeaten Qatar. And last Sunday, there was India winning one of its biggest games in its young basketball history with a 73-70 victory over a Palestine squad that swept its first round assignments.

India finished the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships, 11th in a 15-team field with a 2-6 record winning its two matches by an average of 17.0ppg and losing its six other assignments by an average of 23.8ppg. 

In that tournament, six-foot-three forward Vishesh Bhriguvanshi led India in scoring with 13.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg while 6’8” center Amjyot Singh normed 9.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg.

In the 2015 edition of the FIBA Asia Championships, at this stage early in the second round, India is 3-2, and are 2-0 in the second round following wins over Palestine and Hong Kong, 76-71.

You might say that it is only halfway through and the Indians who count cricket as its national game and not basketball could stand to lose more.

Before we dig into FIBA Competition, 7’2” Satnam Singh, who played in the 2013 games in Manila, is the first Indian to be drafted in the NBA when the Dallas Mavericks selected him 52nd overall. And their performance in this 2015 FIBA Asia tournament has Indians taking notice that perhaps there is a sport where they can excel outside cricket. 

Even without Satnam who is playing in the NBA D-League at the moment, here’s one barometer that the Indians are performing better.

In the 2013 games, Iran crushed them by 44 points, 102-58.

In their first round battle of the 2015 FIBA Asia, Iran won only by 22 points. That is half the previous tourney’s margin. During that 2013 massacre, Iran won each and every quarter. This tourney? India looked bad in the first period before they rebounded in the second frame where they actually outscored the defending champions, 19-12. They also hung tough in the second half, as they scored 36 points to Iran’s 49. The Iranians had that 27-11 first quarter buffer to hold off the Indians rallies. As Bhriguvanshi said post-match, “We played with better cohesion against the Iranians but we were beaten by a far more experienced line-up."

Amjyot Singh is one reason why the Indians are playing better. The lanky 23-year old center is showing an improved post-up game and a stronger drive to the basket. He is now averaging a double-double for India with 25.4 points and 7.0 boards an outing. 

India’s other center, 6’10” Amritpal Singh is averaging 11.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game giving the Young Cagers a trio who can carry them. 

Bhriguvanshi in this 2015 competition is norming 14.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.

Looking at the Philippines match-up:

Prior to the Hong Kong match, India was 11th in the 16-team field averaging 76.5 points per outing. The Young Cagers will go up against the second highest scoring team in the tournament in the Philippines whose 89.3 points a match is behind Iran’s high of 101.8 points.

Team Philippines will go up against a tall Indian line up (average height is 6’4”) but is still raw for all their accomplishments

The Filipinos know the capabilities of this Indian team as they met in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup where the Filipinos prevailed by a mere four points, 70-66. The Philippines played well in the first half but the second half was another story as the Indians outscored the Chot Reyes mentored squad 33-25. Like the recent Iran match, India started slow. They rallied and held the Philippines scoreless in the last four minutes of the match.

Amjyot Singh didn’t play particularly well in that match as Amritpal and Bhriguvanshi led India. But Amjyot looks a lot more spry and athletic now.

They are more concerned how their guards will match up against the Philippines’ corps led by Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and Dondon Hontiveros that is better playmaking-wise as well as offensively and defensively. 

There are two imperatives for the Philippines. One is to take out India’s guards in order to make it difficult for the Young Cagers’ bigs to get the ball in a position they like. 

Second, the Philippines’ big men (Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Marc Pingris) to stay foul free and to attack the young Indian line-up inside. There is concern that the Filipinos’ play drops when center Andray Blatche (especially after he hurt his ankle against Japan) and point guard Jayson Castro take their customary rest. If the Philippines wants to go even more deep in the tourney the other starters as well as the bench must hold their own.

Ateneo Blue Eagles win first ever Spiker's Turf Collegiate Conference

The Ateneo Blue Eagles, defending UAAP Men's Volleyball Champions, defeated nemesis National University in four sets to sweep the finals of the Spiker's Turf Collegiate Conference: 25-23, 25-21, 38-40, and 25-19. 

Watching the blue and white play this young and talented NU team (Vince Mangulabnan is the only key holdover from their title years as Ruben Baysac kind of warms the bench now), their confidence, hard won over two UAAP Finals appearances, was very evident. Even if Ateneo didn't play their best game in Game Two, you could see that they weren't rattled anymore. In fact, they looked pissed that they weren't executing the way they should have. 

Some players were simply trying to smash the ball completely forgetting that you have to place it where you can score a point. Head Coach Oliver Almadro attributes this to the gigil factor and believes his wards played at only 75% of their potential and I agree with his assessment.

You cannot of course, take anything away from NU. They're pretty good themselves. They just need a bit more experience. After they forced a fourth set, you could see their level of play clearly drop. Ironically, Ateneo was more relaxed. Maybe it was the pressure of sweeping in straight sets. In the first three sets, they played catch up most of the time. In the fourth, they simply took over the game with better execution and defense. 

There were key "bunots" for Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro -- Lawrence Gil Magadia, Timmy Sto. Tomas, Antony Paul Koyfman, and Ron Medalla. And they all gave a very good account of themselves.

I thought that in the fourth set, they began to enjoy the game a little more. They were laughing and smiling and that more relaxed vibe allowed them to play better. 

With NU's Ricky Marcos and Bryan Bagunas

UAAP Season 78: UP Fighting Maroons on defending NU's Alfred Aroga

This appears on abs-cbnnews.com

Defending Alfred Aroga

by rick olivares pic by mark cristino

One of the UP Fighting Maroons’ objectives in its match against National University was to try and contain the Bulldogs’ Cameroonian center, Alfred Aroga.

The Maroons threw a variety of defensive coverages that confused Aroga rendering offensively inutile until the fourth period.

In NU’s very first possession, Aroga posted up Maroons big man Andrew Harris. Jett Manuel quickly doubled forcing Aroga to go out to the elbow where he missed a jumper.

In NU’s second possession, Aroga, after grabbing the defensive rebound took off leaving Harris behind. The latter’s UP teammate Mark Juruena gave chase and fouled Aroga who would make his two free throws. The Maroons would learn from Aroga’s trying to push that ball before UP’s defense was set.

For a quarter later and coincidentally NU’s second possession as well, Aroga drove inside. But he was met by a line of three defenders - Jarrell Lim, Cheick Kone, and Jerson Pardo. Aroga pulled up for a jumper that he missed. He didnt look confident taking that. 

Back to the first quarter, during NU’s third possession, Aroga posted up once more — the third straight possession where he was given the ball to jumpstart his offense. Harris was on him and this time, Lim doubled coming from the free throw line. Dave Moralde snuck up from the blind side to poke the ball away. 

Three different defensive coverages on the NU big man = two points. 

After NU’s first eight possessions of the first period, the score was 4-3 in favor of the Bulldogs. Aroga went out for Raph Tansingco who played much better because UP didn’t know how to defend him (as he was a surprise package; although if they saw him in NU’s previous match they might have known what he could do).

During those first eight NU possessions, Aroga had three free throws, three defensive rebounds, and had picked up three fouls from UP defenders. He likewise defended two UP jumpers that didn’t hit the bottom. Offensively, he has difficulty but defensively, he was all right.

With Aroga largely a non-factor for the first three quarters, it was Gelo Alolino, Tansingco, Meds Salim, and Kyle Neypes who carried NU. 

UP had problems on both ends of the court. Offensively, they struggled to get points. Defensively, if they concentrated on trying to stop Alolino, the other players hurt them. I’d say though that Alolino really spread that UP defense. 

With UP’s defense in shambled come the fourth period, Aroga now made his move. He tallied 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block versus 1 turnover in the payoff quarter as NU took its second consecutive win and as many in five matches, 68-52.

Ateneo’s fate in the second match of the Saturday double header mirrored UP’s game versus NU — They stopped the opposing center for much of the game but they couldn’t handle the outside threat. Come the pay off period, the center gets going and that’s all she wrote. 

UAAP Season 78: Looking at Ateneo's loss to UST

Looking at Ateneo’s loss to UST

by rick olivares

It could have been the perfect game for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. One that could have gotten them on a serious roll. Instead, the team, after a painful 68-58 loss will have to lick its wounds at having let one slip away and how. 

Without a doubt, the UST Growling Tigers deserved it. They wanted it. They hung tough. Got the lucky breaks and executed down the stretch. And now they are once more atop the standings with a 4-1 record. Now it is they who are poised to go on a roll.

Am I upset or depressed about the loss? 

NO. Sure, it would have been nice to get a win. And 4-1 is definitely much better than 3-2.

However, I am all right — somewhat — because it is good to know that the blue and white can play UST. The team is learning to play better. There are rough edges and the UST game is a textbook example of why the game is played for 40 minutes. The defense is better. The ball movement is better. The end game execution though needs a little more work. But there is hope!

Although, the Blue Eagles scored only nine points in the first quarter, they played well. How so when UST led 12-9 after 10 minutes played?

Well, the Growling Tigers attempted to post up their Blue Eagle counterparts in their first three possessions. Twice Ed Daquioag backed Matt Nieto down the lane and Karim Abdul thought he’d have his way with Ponso Gotaldera. The result was three stops and UST had to rethink their offense. 

For much of the game, Ateneo had taken out Abdul and Daquioag. Karim was stopped on single and double coverage while Daquioag picked up quick fouls sending him to the bench. After three periods played, the two had combined for a measly seven points. 

The problem was the remaining third of their Big Three. 

Stopping Kevin Ferrer on the other hand was something else. He had 16 points after three and was keeping UST in the game. There isn’t much else you can do when Ferrer is in a zone. He shot 60% (6-10) from three-point range but was 2-7 from two point territory. He hit timely shots and rejected Kiefer Ravena’s last gasp attempt. 

UST is dead last in bench scoring with 13.0 ppg so they rely heavily on their Big Three. In contrast, Ateneo’s reserves total 25.6ppg. In this match, the Tigers’ bench outscored Ateneo’s 18-10 so you can imagine where the Blue Eagles missed a lot. 

Ateneo looked to blow out or cruise to a win after they posted a 16-point lead thanks largely to great defense and terrific passing. The last 16-point spread was at the 2:48 mark following a Nieto layup, 52-36.

Then came that substitution at the 2:04 mark that changed the entire complexion of the match. Kiefer Ravena, GBoy Babilonia, and Matt Nieto went out for Jerie Pingoy, Chiueze Ikeh, and Gwyne Capacio (with Aaron Black and John Apacible left from the team that helped make the run). It’s not a such a bad idea. two minutes left, a sizeable lead, you want your starters to get some rest so they are ready for the fourth period. The coaches expect the bench to have an impact and hold the fort if not increase the lead. Furthermore, sometimes it works; sometimes, it doesn’t. This time it was the latter.

The bench, for the first time this season, had a tough time. Before Pingoy’s two free throws in the fourth period, they had only contributed eight points. 

Here’s what I thought at the time of that substitution — why wasn’t Von or Kiefer left on the floor? I know I have previously said that the five-peat is long over but I keep thinking, at least one of the main scorers should always be on the floor (that’s what Norman did during those years). But it is a different time with a different philosophy or rotation. 

One might say that the flow of Ateneo’s game was interrupted by Pingoy looking for his shot. 

My answer? Yes and no. 

Yes, because that can be said with his first attempt as it was obvious he got tunnel vision seeing the basket. 

No, because after the first attempt, he had some great looks. As did Aaron Black and Gwyne Capacio. 

Yes, at the 00:57 mark when he missed a jumper when maybe he should have given the ball to Ravena. 

No, because the bigger culprit for me was the team falling in love with the outside shot and missing free throws.

Let’s start with the latter.

Ateneo hit 10 of 17 FT attempts for a poor 59%. And the Blue Eagles are the second worst free throw shooting team this season (63-109 for a 58% clip). The worst is UE at 62-112 and 55%.

As for the outside shot,  Ateneo jacked up seven triples in the last five minutes. All of them were duds. 

And there’s the matter of four fourth period turnovers to the two of UST (Ateneo had a total of 16 turnovers to the seven of the Tigers). 

Speaking of duds, the two endgame droughts hurt.

The first was the final 2:04 of the third period where UST shaved off six points from the lead to make it 52-42.

From the 8:50 to the 8:32 mark of the fourth period, Ateneo had three attempts in one possession. They missed all their chances.

And Ateneo would only score three more points the rest of the way — all from free throws as UST was the recipient of a missed outside call (karma for the Jerie Pingoy steal off Gelo Alolino in the NU game) and a loose ball that Pessumal was unable to track down. Each time Kevin Ferrer buried a triple. 

With Ferrer on fire, Daquiaog and Abdul came alive in the last few minutes while Jon Sheriff as well in the endgame.

In the meantime though, here are the other takeaways from the match:

It looks like Ateneo coach Bo Perasol had settled on a starting five of Ravena, Pessumal, Nieto, Gotladera, and Babilonia. That isn’t so bad. I like it in fact. Nieto has been a revelation as he showed a lot of guts and head-up play more than Pingoy or even Hubert Cani. But that is not a bad, three-headed point guard monster.

Pessumal, in the last two matches, has emerged as the second go-to scorer after Ravena. Now the search is one for more consistent scoring inside the paint. You really need that post presence to balance it out.

The Blue Eagles have come out with better game plans for the past two matches. It’s that endgame maturity that is now what is needed. So it’s a loss and a painful lesson the team will have to learn. Hopefully, it is something to use as a springboard for their last two matches of the first round.

The old men of Letran

This appears in the Monday September 29 edition of the Business Mirror

The old men of Letran

by rick olivares

"Now, hail the men from old Letran

Tried are they, both good and true;

On their palm see victory's tan.”

• from an old Letran song

Joemari Sollano grabbed the offensive rebound. He tried to back the Arellano Chiefs’ Dioncee Holts but he didn’t budge an inch. Unable to dribble, Sollano threw an off-balanced pass to Mark Cruz that the Chiefs’ Jiovani Jalalon anticipated. He plucked the ball out of the air and scooted the opposite for an breakaway layup.

Letran head coach, Aldin Ayo, thrust his hands in his pockets and bowed his head keeping whatever angry thoughts he had to himself.

Behind Ayo, who himself donned the Knight’s blue and red colors some time ago, were members of the old and not so old guard. There was one of the school’s greatest ever in Freddie Webb who stood up and egged on the young Knights to chase Jalalon. A few seats away was its recent star, Kevin Alas and a teammate, Ford Ruaya. Near the bench stood former power forward—center Bryan Faundo and Kojak Melegrito. Several rows away was one of those who got away. A high school star at Letran before he departed for the University of the East — Roi Sumang, who had come to watch his former school. 

Former Letran coach, Louie Alas, who guided the Knights to its last three NCAA titles, was also in the San Juan Arena in anticipation of the huge match with the Chiefs who supplanted Letran as the finals foe of San Beda last season. “We have to show support,” he enthused. 

The Knights looked like they were going to absorb a painful loss that would have put them in a precarious situation in the chase for the top two seeds of the Final Four. That is until the fourth period when Letran dropped a mighty 30-12 windup for an 87-81 win that had Arellano University staring into space after the end of the match at the great opportunity they let slip away.

The Filoil Flying V Arena rocked as the thousand-plus Letran supporters sang their alma mater song with so much gusto it is as if they had won a title. “Tatak Letran win,” gushed Webb. “Playing hard up to the final buzzer.” 

A championship. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Letran has 16 of them. They’d like a few more especially in this time of great change. 

Perhaps the biggest underdog in the NCAA tournament, Letran, at least this year’s squad, not tabbed to compete for a Final Four slot has been taking down foes with some huge comebacks en route to a 12-4 record with two games to play. And once more, they escaped by the skin of their teeth with a resounding victory. The win allowed them to stay head above water against San Beda (via quotient), University of Perpetual Help, Jose Rizal University, and Arellano University. 

Unseeded, not particularly deep, with no foreign player in the roster, these Knights are a proud bunch who do not know when to roll over and die. Explained Kevin Alas, “Tingin namin pag-Finals, five-on-five lang ang match-up. Pagtapos na lang ng Finals namin na iniisip na doon nakalamang sa amin yung San Beda dahil kay Ola (Adeogun, the Red Lions massive Cameroonian center who concedes that he looks forward to playing and beating Letran). But ganon talaga kami. Mas gusto namin na all-Filipino line-up. Tignan natin this year, baka maka-sungkit ng panalo.”

Said a NCAA coach who asked to remain anonymous, “If Letran added a foreign player, they would have won a championship or two, maybe more. They have a very good local crew but have always lacked that big game center outside Raymond Almazan.”

Barbie Atienza, a Letranite who watches as many games as humanly possible had this to say, “Watching San Beda overtake our record for championships, it hurts. Syempre, we’d like to keep the record but ganyan talaga. There are mixed feelings with regards to not winning but it’s a principled stand we are taking.”

The Knights have quite a few homegrown players in this year’s team. There’s Rey Nambatac who this year has become an even better player on both ends of the court. There’s guard McJour Luib who is finally contributing to his team’s cause after seeing very little playing time in past years. There’s Bong Quinto who went from bruiser to one who prefers to beat foes with his game intelligence. There are rookies Jerrick Balanza and Tommy Gedaria. And of course, Mark Cruz, who is probably pound-for-pound, the best amateur basketball player in the game today.

There’s some urgency to this Season 91 it being the last playing year of star guard Mark Cruz and death-defying forward Kevin Racal. “These guys have been through so much,” noted Ayo of his two prized players. “To win a championship, it would be nice not only for the team and the Letran community but also for them.”

“Even if we don’t — knock on wood though,” added Atienza, “We will be back next year, giving it that old college try and with us cheering on our Knights. After all, that’s what we old men of Letran do."