After a week-long break, the UAAP returned with a blockbuster weekend headlined by the timeless rivalry pitting the De La Salle University Green Archers and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
With all eight teams either fighting for pride, for seeding, or for survival, last weekend turned out to be a weekend to remember.
Here are the top UAAP stories from the week that was:
Slaying a Streak
November 5, 2016 – SMART Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
For 12 games, the De La Salle University Green Archers were like a Mach truck, plowing through the opposition to the tune of 15.8 points per game. They seemed an unstoppable and were poised to sweep the season.
But coach Tab Baldwin and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles had other plans.
After bowing to their arch-rivals by 16 points during their first outing, the Blue Eagles deviced a gameplan to stifle La Salle’s chaotic defense. And it worked to perfection.
“I thought our composure was better even if we still had 26 turnovers and we still gave up 25 offensive rebounds, we were more composed and we executed our game plan better compared to the last time. I think that’s what it took,” first-year Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said.
And with three minutes and 21 seconds remaining in the game up to the final buzzer, La Salle looked vulnerable. For 40 minutes Ateneo threw precise outlet passes to break La Salle’s press. On the defensive end, the young Blue Eagles were quick to double-team Ben Mbala, who finished the game shooting just 5-of-13 from the field with seven turnovers, while rotating quick enough to the open shooter.
The result? An 83-71 win by the Blue Eagles – the lowest scoring output for the Green Archers this season.
“Getting a chance to play in the Ateneo-La Salle is beyond a blessing. I studied the game plan. We studied everything we needed to do,” said big man Isaac Go, who had 10 points and seven rebounds.
It may have just been one loss for La Salle but it proved to the rest of the league that the league-leaders are beatable. However, a team needs to play a perfect game to do so.
Attempt to Slay History
November 5, 2016 – SMART Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
After trying to notch a quadruple-double early this season, National University Bulldogs ace Afril Bernardino tried to enter the history books once again last Saturday, making another crack at the rare feat.
With the Lady Bulldogs holding an imposing lead on the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Bernardino tried to chase history. With five minutes left in the game, the reigning UAAP MVP was able to dish out her 10th assist, a beautiful pass to Gemma Miranda. She then was able to grab her 10th rebound with 4:20 remaining in the game.
However, she still needed three more steals to tally a triple-double.
She was able to pickpocket Precious Arellado in back-to-back possession to go just one shy with 3:08 left. However, with four fouls at her name, the fifth-year player gambled against Princess Jumuad but was assessed her fifth foul to end her chase.
Bernardino finished the game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and nine steals. And the NU Lady Bulldogs are now just one win away from their third-straight elimination round sweep.
Slaying Giants
November 6, 2016 – Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan City
The battle-tested FEU Tamaraws absolutely schooled the young Adamson University Soaring Falcons during their first round outing. But it was a different story come the second round.
Filipino-American big man Sean Manganti scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out four assists to lead Adamson. Floor general Robbie Manalang added 12 points in the win.
But it was the intangibles provided by Jonathan Espeleta that secured Adamson’s sixth win.
Adamson were clinging on to a solitary point, 60-59, with 3.8 seconds remaining when Espeleta, who finished the game with eight points and five rebounds, was able to force FEU’s Monbert Arong into a travelling violation to return the possession back to Adamson. A split on the stripe by Manganti secured the win.
“With Jonathan Espeleta, he was the one who last made the cut in the line-up,” Pumaren said about the big man. “He showed us that he deserves to play.”
With the win, the Soaring Falcons are just a win away from securing the last Final Four spot — a round they have not been to since 2011.
“For me what I’ve been stressing, we have to take care of our own destiny,” Pumaren added. “We don’t look at the other team standings, our destiny is in our hands, we just had to take it one game at a time.”
Slaying Old Ghosts
November 6, 2016 – Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan City
First year UP head coach Bo Perasol and team captain Jett Manuel are trying to change the culture of the Fighting Maroons — a team that has experienced futility for the better part of the decade. In their journey, they have slayed their seven-year losing streak to Ateneo and their four-year losing streak to National University.
Entering their tilt against the UST Growling Tigers, the cagers of Diliman have yet to defeat them in 19 games.
“Di naman namin yung Final Four. Mas malakas yung dating na 19 games na di namin natalo yung UST. Binanggit ko yun sa kanila,” first-year UP head coach Bo Perasol said.
Third-year guard Paul Desiderio flirted with a triple-double as he tallied 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
“Pinu-push ko lang teammates ko. Kahit mag mintis okay lang basta sundan namin yung gameplan,” the third-year Cebuano shared.
But it was his batchmate Kyles Lao who helped break the game wide-open during the third frame. The former Rookie of the Year sparked an 11-0 rally, scoring all six of his points during that run, that turned a 36-all game into an 11-point lead with 3:56 left in the third frame.
The Fighting Maroons were able to slay another ghost, taking a 74-69 win against UST.
And with one last game remaining in their Season 79 calendar, the team is hoping that the UP community shows up once more and give Manuel, Soy Asilum, Dave Moralde, and Andrew Harris their proper send-offs.
“I’m really happy. It’s giving the fans the win they deserve. All throughout sa stay ko sa UP, ito yun iniintay ng fans,” Kyles Lao said. “We’re now a step closer in what we’re trying to do and achieve.”
Slaying Temptation
November 5, 2016 – SMART Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
The National University Bulldogs have greatly disappointed this season. Pegged as contenders during the pre-season, the Bulldogs experienced a six-game losing streak – the longest losing streak the team experienced under coach Eric Altamirano.
And as the losses piled up, the Bulldogs started to crumble.
“Sa practice nagkakainitan na kami. Sobrang competitive ng mga practices namin. Lahat umiinit ang ulo including the coaches,” NU co-captain Jay Alejandro shared.
“We stuck to the process and went back to the basics, finding our identity back,” Altamirano said about the matter. “We did it the hard way. It was a hard week for us, they know that.”
The week-long break NU prior to last Sunday turned into a long grind for the Bulldogs.
“Yung one week na yun parang one year sa amin,” Alejandro furthered.
Fortunately for them, it served its purpose as the Bulldogs were able to arrest their losing skid at the expense of the UE Red Warriors, 64-52.
“Na-miss namin manalo. Wala kong masabi, ang daming pinagdaanan ng team. Buti na lang everyone stepped up,” admitted Alejandro.
But it might be too late as the Bulldogs are at the brink of elimination, sporting a 5-8 slate with just a game to go.
