ATENEO de Manila goes for all the marbles and University of the Philippines (UP) fights for survival in a men’s basketball Finals series of Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) that have gone beyond the realms of the playing court—and almost emotionally berserk.
Game Two of the best-of-three series is set at 3:30 p.m. this time at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—that Big Dome in Cubao that played venue to countless fabled triumphs and defeats.
The Blue Eagles are not only trying to repeat as champions but are targeting their ninth UAAP crown against an emotion and sentimentally driven Fighting Maroons side that have only one crown to boot—that won by Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Eric Altamirano and co. in 1986.
Game One saw Ateneo teeter before breaking loose for an 88-79 victory—one the Blue Eagles mustered without having to scrape bottom to frustrate the legions of UP fans—students, alumni, professors and brass who have gone to social media to join the fray.
The emotions have gone outside the court that one member of the UP Regents Board—Frederick “Spocky” Farolan—drew flak for his comments on Facebook and faces dismissal from the influential State University body.
Just before Game One, UP Executive Vice President Ted Herbosa slammed Fighting Maroons supporters who intended to wear black at the Mall of Asia Arena, a campaign he described as reeking with politics in sports.
“It’s a stupid idea,” Herbosa said also in Facebook.
Ateneo’s edge in experience was in full display especially in the pivotal fourth quarter of Game One—although Head Coach Tab Baldwin’s deputy, Sandy Arespacochaga—remained dissatisfied at how the Blue Eagles played the entire game.
“We’re not happy because we gave up 13 threes. That’s something we’ll look at and work on,” Arespacochaga said.
To correct their mistakes, the Ateneo coaching staff devoted more time on scrutinizing the video of Game One.
The Fighting Maroons did much damage from the three-point territory with top scorer Jun Manzo, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño and Diego Dario each converting three triples.
Ateneo went to Matt Nieto and Thirdy Ravena to outscore UP, 25-18, in the final quarter that broke open a 63-61 lead they had after the first three quarters.
Beyond skills and trying to perfect their plays in practice, the inanimate gives UP Coach Bo Perasol more motivation to extend the series.
“For me, for a first-timer in the Finals, I have to appreciate the effort my boys have shown. But we have a chance. We just have to defend well,” Perasol said. “You can’t lose your focus for a bit against Ateneo.”
Manzo had 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Juan Gomez de Liaño added 17 points and eight boards. Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie will suit up despite after a freak injury in his left knee in Game One.