SEASON 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has just finished its first half— exactly in tune with the midterm exams of the schools and universities that it represents. How cool.
The first round ended Saturday, October 13. And the second round started Sunday, October 14. It seems apropos that we hand in a midterm report card now, yah?
First, the big picture.
- The season started with a bang, thanks to a jaw-dropping opening ceremonies staged by host school National University (NU) and the mind-blowing participation of Golden State Warriors main man Steph Curry in the athletes’ oath-taking.
- Four teams were affected by injuries, with De La Salle absorbing the numbers and University of Santo Tomas (UST) suffering the more serious situation. De La Salle lost Taane Samuel just five minutes into their opening day game against Far Eastern University (FEU) after the Kiwi big man landed badly on someone’s foot. A few days later, ace point guard Kib Montalbo fractured his thumb. UST center Steve Akomo suffered a head trauma and had to be hospitalized following reports of blood clots in the brain. Raffy Verano of Ateneo suffered a sprain in their game against University of the East (UE). NU lost versatile point guard Chino Mosqueda in the preseason, as well.
- Two game days were cancelled on September 15 and 16, the weekend that would have played Ateneo versus FEU and Adamson University versus De La Salle (Saturday) and UE versus NU and UST versus University of the Philippines (Sunday). No thanks to Typhoon Ompong.
- Only two games went into overtime this season, both of them involving Adamson University. FEU totally reversed the run of the game in regulation as it outlasted Adamson University in overtime on October 7 to deal the Falcons their first loss. La Salle also took Adamson to overtime on October 13 and handed the Falcons only their second loss of the season. (Conclusion: Adamson sure is tough. You have to take them to overtime for a chance to beat them. They won’t give an inch.)
- Four ejections were made so far in Season 81. FEU’s Arvin Toletino was ejected twice, first on October 7 for a foul incurred on Adamson’s Sean Manganti, then again on October 14 when he was assessed a harmful foul on Tiger Zachary Huang. The second ejection was done with just 15 seconds left in the game. UP Coach Bo Perasol was ejected in the first Battle of Katipunan on September 12 for talking back to the referees. Surprise ejectee is naturally soft-spoken Javi Gomez de Liaño in the second Battle of Katipunan whose second tech came when he confronted the game official for a call.
- All those technicals resulted in suspensions for the parties involved. But here’s one suspension handed to a player outside of the playing court. Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena got it from the league after a review of his foul on UP’s Paul Desiderio in the second Battle of Katipunan on October 14. Video replays (that have since gone viral) showed that Thirdy approached Desiderio’s midsection with a closed fist, which knocked the wind out of the UP player who lay supine on the floor for minutes before he could be moved.
And now let’s look at the teams.
- The Team Standings (not counting games played yesterday, October 17 between UE and De La Salle and between NU and Adamson University): Ateneo (first at 6-2), Adamson University (second at 5-2), FEU (third at 5-3), De La Salle (fourth at 4-3), UST (fifth at 4-4), UP (sixth at 3-5), NU (seventh at 2-5) and UE (eighth at 1-6). Those placements will change depending on who beat whom at the MOA Arena on Wednesday.
- Ateneo has been acknowledged since the UAAP Press Conference as the team to beat this season. So far the Eagles are living up to the hype with their versatility, depth and maturity at every position or situation.
- Adamson University has been brilliant from the time they flew out of the coop on Day 1. They have showcased both the science and art of basketball, wowing with both finesse and grit. Their losses were not exactly putdowns from the opponent. They were decided more by breaks than by lack of skill. Both games were lost in overtime.
- FEU is on a roller-coaster ride. Its third-place position belies the hard knocks it has gone through in the first round. It has lost twice to UST, but it dealt Adamson University its first loss. It also gave Ateneo its second loss. Call it The Giant Killer.
- De La Salle has been saddled with injuries but still plays true to character. Despite being shorthanded, it just keeps on grinding, then goes to its reliables to clinch the wins. This team may be shorter on talent compared to last year, but it certainly isn’t short on grit and animo.
- UST started slow with unimpressive first outings. But the Tiger has been woke, as they say. It has found its stride, has its confidence back and will slay dragons along the way. It defeated FEU, nearly routed UP and Coach Aldin Ayo has his mojo back. UST may still be peaking and could surprise everyone.
- UP started strong but had a lot of hiccups. It drubbed UE, took down De La Salle, squeaked past NU but had a heartbreaking loss to ADU, nightmarish games against UST and FEU and another tragic loss to Ateneo. The Maroons, in short, are not living up to their preseason hype. They must will their wins and fight all the way to achieve their F4 dreams.
- NU is a young team, and dangerous, but thus far only has two wins to show. It is stacked with talent but maturity still has to be aspired for. It’s pretty early to count them out, but next year, they’ll be deadly. Who knows, maybe this year, the Bulldogs will smell the scent of victory a couple times more.
- UE strives to become a team that is not defined by Alvin Pasaol. Once the load is shared more evenly by others in the team, the Warriors will go to war and show everyone that the East is Red indeed.
Final Mark for the UAAP Season: Superb. “You never know what to expect. Anything can happen. Everything is open-ended.” That’s what PPC-Philspada President Mike Barredo said. Yep. Good grades.