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FINALLY,
that elusive win.
University of the Philippines (UP), at last, broke into
the winning column—a first in almost two years—by
defeating National University (NU), 86-72, Sunday in the
University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
Season 71 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta
Coliseum.
The
Fighting Maroons’ win is an excellent start to the
season they are hosting—a year in which UP is also
celebrating its centennial.
Last
season the Maroons lost all their 14 games. Their last
victory came on September 3, 2006, beating University of
the East, 90-85, in their final game of the eliminations
for Season 69.
“More
than my feelings is the feeling of the team. They have
not won in 24 months. The boys are very ecstatic na
nakapagbigay ng magandang simula sa UP,” said State
U coach Aboy Castro, who thanked school officials led by
Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, president of the UP System.
Martin
Reyes had a career game, scoring 21 points on
four-of-eight shooting on threes, while team captain Jay
Agbayani and Andrew Marfori had 11 points each for the
Fighting Maroons.
“Masayang-masaya
ako personally dahil last year ko na ito
at nanalo na rin kami,” said Agbayani.
“Itong
game na ito, pinakita namin na may faith kami
na manalo. Wala kaming go-to-guy pero talagang
nag-deliver lahat dahil gusto namin makuha iyong
goal namin, which is manalo,” Agbayani added.
Jonathan
Jahnke finished with 17 points, Raymond Aguilar had 13
and Jessey Garcia contributed 13 for the Bulldogs.
Fifth-year senior Edwin Asoro only had four points
before fouling out in the fourth.
“I think
we were well-conditioned. Takbo kami ng takbo, hindi
kami napapagod,” said Castro.
The
Fighting Maroons trailed by 11 points to start the first
quarter, 17-28, but they went on a 16-1 run capped off
by Agbayani’s drive to take a 33-29 lead, which later
grew to 48-38.
The
Bulldogs closed in, 54-49, by the third, but Reyes
connected on a three-point bomb and Dionisio Hipolito
scored two charities to pump the advantage to 10.
With
less than a minute to go, point guard Arvin Braganza,
feeling that victory was in the bag, walked the floor
into the frontcourt, egging the State U gallery to cheer
on. On the final play, Magi Sison corralled a missed
attempt by NU and raised his left hand signaling No. 1
as the buzzer sounded.
UE, FEU
win
IN
opening games Saturday, University of the East debuted
by beating University of Santo Tomas, 78-73. Elmer
Espiritu and Hans Thiele paced the Red Warriors with 15
and 13 points, respectively.
The
Warriors also spoiled the 26-point, 22-rebound effort of
reigning Most Valuable Player Jervy Cruz for the Tigers.
In the
first game, Jens Knuttel buried two free throws and the
go-ahead triple, giving Far Eastern University a 74-71
victory over Adamson.
Riel
Cervantes led the Tamaraws with 15 points and six boards
while Andy Barroca had 12 markers.
Michael
Galinato powered the Falcons with 22 points and 11
rebounds while Jan Colina and Paul Gonzalgo had 11 each.
“I’m
satisfied with the win on the standpoint that it is the
opening game. But we have to go back to the drawing
board,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio.
*****
Pacquiao: I’m for Atene…no, I am
neutral here
By
Joel Orellana
Reporter
BLUE has
a special spot in Manny Pacquiao’s heart.
The
newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight
champion did not hide his support for the Ateneo men’s
basketball team during his appearance at the University
Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) games
yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Ateneo”
was the Filipino ring icon’s short reply when asked
which team he was rooting for in the first meeting of
the country’s fiercest collegiate rivals, Ateneo and De
La Salle.
But
seconds after, the 29-year-old fighter from General
Santos City changed his answer, saying, “Neutral,
neutral lang tayo dito, ako ang referee dito.”
It was
Pacquiao’s first time to watch a UAAP game as the board
presented him the Sports Excellence award for clinching
his fourth division title with a nine-round stoppage of
David Diaz last week in Las Vegas.
Manny V.
Pangilinan, a staunch supporter of the Blue Eagles,
joined the UAAP board in handing the trophy to Pacquiao,
who almost upstaged the presence of adidas endorser
Gilbert Arenas in the star-studded game.
Arenas
visited the locker rooms of La Salle and Ateneo, two
teams whose sports gear are made by adidas.
Pacquiao—a
Nike endorser—pointed to the La Salle crowd first and
yelled “good luck,” then to Ateneo’s spot in the
jampacked venue.
United
States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney was
also an interested spectator in the game. |
