AND just like that, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is on its second round of “hostilities” in men’s basketball.
It’s been a roller coaster ride, with twists and turns and cliffhangers providing sparks and watchability to the games so far.
In recent past seasons, avid UAAP watchers say the outcome of the basketball season would have been pretty much determined since opening day tip-off.
The basketball event had been owned by the Ateneo Blue Eagles from Season 80 (2017) to Season 82 (2019). And every year, when university coaches would be asked to pick their “team to beat” during UAAP press conferences, the answers would invariably be “Ateneo.”
Such was the dominance of the Tab Baldwin-coached squad with his system and winning mindset.
Until the Blue Eagles failed to bring home the bacon in a much-abbreviated Season 84 earlier this year.
At that time—just last May to be exact—the Finals storyline had been Dynasty or Destiny?
Dynasty, as the Eagles were in line to achieve a rare four-peat should they succeed at swooping down on another title for the year. Destiny, if their opponents, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, would finally leave their ghosts behind and pick up their second UAAP post-war title since 1986, 36 years in the making.
Destiny won and in the process, Season 85 now has two burning questions. Will UP do a back-to-back? And: Will Ateneo pull off its Revenge Tour?
But hey. That’s not all the storylines there are. This season is not cut-and-dried like that. UAAP fans have one word to describe the current season: unpredictable. What you see is not what you get.
Consider. Before they rolled over for the previously hapless Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, the National University (NU) Bulldogs were the toughest breed in the eight-team league. They dealt the defending champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, their only loss in the first round and held the top spot for quite some time.
Finishing the round at 5-2 and sharing second place with Ateneo (UP is first at the end of the round), this is an awesome finish for the Bulldogs who finished sixth in Season 84. Before they tripped and fell to the Tamaraws last weekend, they were considered dark, dark horses to win it all in Season 85.
But then again, who knows? A whole new round is unfolding and NU can pull some more nifty surprises along the way.
Looking for more unpredictability? Let’s look again at the Tamaraws. Expected to make a strong start like they always do, the Tams saddened and disappointed many of their fans when they lost their first five games.
When they finally won late in the round against the University of Santo Tomas, FEU fans rejoiced as if Christmas had already come. But then again, when they faced the ferocious Bulldogs last Sunday, October 23, they fidgeted a little, doubted much.
So when Coach Olsen Racela and his chargers found redemption in a gritty game that ultimately caused the Bulldogs to heel, another round of rejoicing and happy disbelief befell the FEU faithful.
How hard it is to predict games and outcomes in Season 85. What a wild ride it is for everyone.
It’s the same thing with the University of the East (UE). Whipping boys no more, they have pulled off win after win in Season 85, with the most stupendous being the one against the De La Salle Green Archers.
Not that La Salle was weak (didn’t they pull off the Eagles’ feathers during their first encounter this year?), but that UE was strong—spirited, talented, wily and wicked to boot.
You can say that too about host school Adamson University. Their victory over the Green Archers on Saturday, October 22, is not just another eye-popper, it’s a testament to their innate skill and winnability.
The Soaring Falcons now share fourth place with UE and DLSU. Here’s a tip. The Falcons always step into high gear in the second round.
As for the Fighting Maroons, unpredictability might as well be their middle name. Known as Comeback Kids, Cramming Maroons or Miracle Maroons, their style all season (and last season) has been to come from behind and defy the odds (except in their game against NU).
Playing cardiac game after cardiac game, UP has been good entertainment fare because of their wild and wooly, high-spirited adventures.
No wonder the UAAP is a must-watch for both dyed-in-the-wool and casual fans. Can you imagine what more stupendous surprises the second round will bring?