UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) grabbed last weekend’s spotlight by inflicting a 76-71 overtime loss to Ateneo in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament before a roaring crowd of more than 12,000 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
It was a night to remember for a plethora of reasons.
Just when everybody thought UP was all set to clinch it in regulation, Forthsky Padrigao, the foxiest of Ateneo’s guards, flung a three from Manila Bay, the ball hitting nothing but net.
Only 36.7 seconds remained when Padrigao, a rookie but already possessed with the adroit moves of a scarred veteran, used an Ange Kouame Great Wall-like screen to launch the game-extending three.
And then in overtime, Padrigao threatened again. He buried another triple from beyond the center line, the ball hitting the front rim, bounced off the glass and found the bottom of the goal. That moved Ateneo to within two with still plenty of ticks remaining.
That’s when Carl Tamayo and Malick Diouf went to work again, sinking free throws from Ateneo’s desperation fouls to secure UP’s fourth win in five games to catch National University at the helm, while dropping Ateneo to 3-2 in a tie with La Salle and University of the East.
It was UP’s third overtime win over Ateneo the last two years, including two in the Finals last year that led to the Maroons’ thrilling title triumph.
“I’m relieved today that we played better as a team” said UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde. “We really got tested, but the good thing about it was we stayed together as a team on both ends.”
Said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin: “UP was disciplined in the end. We had a couple of possessions to really win the game and we didn’t execute.”
UP did execute—through Tamayo, mostly.
“I am grateful for the trust of my teammates,” said Tamayo, a 6-foot-7 turbine with a future as bright as a sun at high noon. “They made an effort to hand me the ball and push me to make those shots even though I struggled early.”
Tamayo, only 21, scored six of his game-high 20 points in overtime, including a three-point play off Kouame’s goal tending as UP went five points up inside the final two minutes.
This kid is a sight to behold, indeed.
THAT’S IT Ramon S. Ang, fondly called RSA to those dear to him, does it again. Owner of Philippine Basketball Association teams Magnolia, Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, RSA gave yesterday P2 million each to the families of the five rescue workers who died while performing their duties at the height of storm “Karding” in San Miguel, Bulacan, on September 25. Aside from the cash contribution, RSA also extended scholarships to the children of the fallen heroes, and start-up food businesses through Purefoods products, plus a freezer each, to the widows. RSA met and condoled with the widows and families of Troy Agustin, George Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurreccion and Narciso Calayag Jr. in the presence of Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Lorna Silverio at the SMC headquarters in Mandaluyong City. “They inspire us to do selfless deeds in our everyday lives. Their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten,” RSA said. What a guy…Rotarians play “golf for a cause” today at Veterans course to celebrate PDG Dan Espinosa’s birthday for the Elmer Magnate Foundation’s charity thrust for the poor of some barangays of Quezon City. Tournament director Jake P. Ayson wishes everybody to have fun. Cheers!