The Games That Play Us (S76): Yes, A Ballpen

UST GROWLING TIGERS over DLSU GREEN ARCHERS, 63-58 (OT)

So, umm, in a game that had its fair share of big names – the Teng brothers, coach Pido Jarencio, LA Revilla, Karim Abdul, Aljon Mariano, Norbert Torres, Almond Vosotros, and Kim Lo to name a few – the most contentious talking point, the main focus of the spotlight, was a pen.

(Yes, I wrote Kim Lo. Get over it. Let’s go back on-topic.)

A ballpen.

The culprit.
(image from kidscornercabsy.weebly.com)

That’s what caused the referees to call an officials’ timeout, which led to DLSU coach Juno Sauler suing for time, which, naturally, got UST coach Pido up in arms near the end of regulation. Not that it takes a lot for coach Pido to get upset, but, you know, it was La Salle versus UST and the opening weekend. Everybody was antsy (not as antsy as Kris Aquino was after seeing her ex cozy up to an Italian blondie, for sure, but you get the drift).

Good thing, then, that the Tigers managed to outscore the Archers, 12-7, in the extra period. UST – one win. La Salle – one loss. Somewhere in España, coach Pido and his staff are probably still heaving sighs of relief while watching replays of the final moments in regulation.

What resulted from that ballpen incident anyway?

Coach Sauler drew up a play that ended with newcomer Jason Perkins hitting a jumper that tied the count at 51-all. In the ensuing possession, Jeric Teng rose for a turnaround jumper that didn’t hit the mark.

Boom.

Overtime.

Greenies exult. Goldies slump. Greenies snicker at their luck. Goldies curse at their misfortune.

Amidst the din, one man was probably thinking, “How the hell do I explain this to the fans tomorrow?”

Well, Commish Ato, this was what you said, “May nakitang ballpen sa court. Whether intentional or unintentional, hindi natin alam. Pero the moment the referees call an officials’ timeout, the game clock stops. So anyone can call a timeout. Tama ‘yun. Ang question lang is whether talagang sinadyang itapon. In that case, a technical foul will be called.”

Okay. I get his point. A foreign object was sighted on the playing court,  and it had to be removed.

But an officials’ timeout? To remove a pen? A very interesting act at a very conspicuous time of the game.

Maybe the refs could’ve just treated the pen like any other small “debris” or “dirt” on the floor – they could’ve asked someone to just pick it up or remove it. Heck, they could have done it themselves.

Oh well. I guess that’s just a break of the game. Chalk it up to experience.

Buti na lang talaga nanalo USTe, kung hindi sinabon na ni Pido si Badolato.

Actually, credit UST’s big three – Karim Abdul, Jeric Teng, and Aljon Mariano. They’re the ones who scored all 12 Tiger points in overtime to help tow last year’s bridesmaids into the win column.

As for La Salle, it looks like, despite the coaching change and the trimming of their roster, the same old chinks in its armor are still prevalent.

Jeron Teng’s penchant for going out of control? Check.

Free throw shooting woes? Check.

Big name recruits warming the pine? Check.

The Bear and AVO missing gimmes? Check.

If DLSU continues playing this way (in particular, scoring just 20 points in one half), then this is going to be a helluva long first season for coach Sauler.

But there is a bright spot – that Jason Perkins can really play. Nope – he isn’t just a summer league player. He’s made for the big time.

On the other end, I love how Teng used a variety of moves to score. He had a couple of nifty drives in the first half, he hit some nice jumpers throughout the game, and registered 6 boards, 3 dimes, and 3 swipes. A sleeper MVP candidate he is.

Oh, but that ballpen incident. It could have ruined everything.

Now I’ll have to quote coach Pido, who may have provided the simplest solution to such a situation.

“Dapat sinipa na lang, hindi dinampot para ma-stop. Kasi debris ‘yun,” Jarencio said. “Puwede pala ‘yun?”

I would urge UAAP officials to put that in the UAAP handbook/rulebook, but I remember there’s isn’t one.

Now how about THAT for a talking point.

Jeric Teng is poised to be the King Tiger this season.
(image from BurnSports.com)

Juno Sauler opens his first season as a Head Coach
with a close defeat.
(image from BurnSports.com)

Jason Perkins and the Archers got drubbed in OT.
(image from BurnSports.com)

The scores:

UST 63 - Teng 23, Abdul 17, Bautista 6, Mariano 5, Ferrer 5, Pe 3, Hainga 2, Daquioag 2, Lo 0
DLSU 58 - Vosotros 13, Perkins 13, Teng 10, T. Torres 7, N. Torres 6, Reyes 4, Revilla 4, Van Opstal 1, Tampus 0 , Bolick 0
QS: 10-12, 28-20, 40-34, 51-51, 63-58

Key Performances:

Jeric Teng – 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Jeron Teng – 10 points, 5 fouls