#UAAP79 Roundup: Tamaraws slip past Maroons and Bulldogs outlast Tigers on Day 10!

Images from Richard Esguerra/ABSCBN Sports.

Day 10 saw the FEU Tamaraws escape the upset axe against the UP Fighting Maroons, while the NU Bulldogs scrambled to beat the UST Growling Tigers.

Here are comprehensive game recaps (adapted from Interaksyon): 

FEU over UP, 51-49
Box scores. 

The FEU Tamaraws needed to fend off a gutsy effort by the UP Fighting Maroons to notch a 51-49 win in UAAP Season 79 action Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Monbert Arong scored 14 points and made crucial baskets down the stretch to help FEU (3-2) pick up its second straight win.

#UAAP79 Roundup: Maroons beat Warriors and Falcons silence Bulldogs on Day 8!

Images from Arvin Lim/ABSCBN Sports.

Day 8 saw the UP Fighting Maroons finally break into the win column at UE’s expense even as Adamson outshot the NU Bulldogs!

Here are comprehensive game recaps (adapted from Interaksyon):

UP over UE, 75-71
Box scores. 

The UP Fighting Maroons picked up its first win of UAAP Season 79 after a strong showing against UE, 75-71, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jett Manuel and Paul Desiderio each had 17 points to lead UP, which improved to 1-3 for the season while keeping the Red Warriors winless at 0-4.

#UAAP79 Roundup: Falcons claw Eagles while Tigers maul Maroons on Day 6!

Images by Josh Albelda/ABSCBN.

Day 6 of #UAAP79 saw Ateneo lose to Adamson thanks to a game-winning jumper from Dawn Ochea, while UST kept UP winless, 83-77.

Here are comprehensive game recaps (adapted from Interaksyon):

UST over UP, 83-77
Box scores. 

The UST Growling Tigers needed to put down a late rally from the gutsy UP Fighting Maroons as they clinched a 83-77 victory in UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball action on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

#UAAP79 Roundup: UST, DLSU, FEU, and NU are big winners on Days 3 and 4!

Image by Arvin Lim/ABSCBN Sports.

Days 3 and 4 of #UAAP79 saw DLSU and NU move up to 2-0, while UST and FEU got good bounce back wins after separate opening game losses.

Here are comprehensive game recaps (adapted from Interaksyon):

UST over UE, 88-87
Box scores. 

The UST Growling Tigers needed to make some big plays in the endgame as they held off a late UE run to preserve a big comeback win over the Red Warriors, 88-87, in UAAP Season 79 action on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

#UAAP79 Roundup: Soaring Falcons shoot down Maroons and Eagles outlast Tigers on Day 1!

The Men’s Basketball Tournament wars opened yesterday with a big bang as Adamson put on a shooting clinic against overmatched UP, while Ateneo leaned on a pair of second-generation hoopsters to notch win #1 at the expense of host UST.

Here are comprehensive game recaps (adapted from Interaksyon):

ADU over UP, 104-85
Box scores.

#UAAP78 Roundup: Eagles drop Bulldogs and Tigers clinch Final Four berth!

The Ateneo Blue Eagles rode their dynamic duo of Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal to frustrated the NU Bulldogs, 68-59, while the UST Growling Tigers enjoyed a career-high Kevin Ferrer scoring explosion to repel the UP Fighting Maroons, 83-76, yesterday at the MOA Arena. 

Because of these results, UST earned its ninth win and, therefore, officially clinched a Final Four spot, while Ateneo notched its third straight win and looks to be peaking in the second round.

2014 UAAP Power Rankings as of August 25, 2014

These rankings are based on each team's Current Efficiency Ratings, the point difference in its game results, and “bonus points” for beating a team based on its “tier” or how strong it is perceived. The formula I used was this:

I calculate Current Efficiency Ratings or CER this way: (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks) - (turnovers + field goals missed + free throws missed) — for the remainder of the season, I wil be using team averages for these values.

As per the collected opinion of most UAAP pundits, I chose to segregate the eight UAAP schools into the following tiers (based on the teams’ first round performances):

Tier 1: DLSU Green Archers, UST Growling Tigers, NU Bulldogs, FEU Tamaraws, ADMU Blue Eagles, and UE Red Warriors (all Final Four contenders)

Tier 3: ADU Soaring Falcons and UP Fighting Maroons (Final Four long shots)

Any time a team beats a Tier 1 team, it gets 20 “bonus points.”

Any time a team beats a Tier 2 team, it gets 10 “bonus points.”

These are the top four teams right now, but are they all Final-Four-bound?
(images from Burn Sports)

2014 UAAP Power Rankings as of August 15, 2014

Ateneo, DLSU, NU, and FEU make up our top four  after the first round.

These rankings are based on each team's Current Efficiency Ratings, the point difference in its game results, and “bonus points” for beating a team based on its “tier” or how strong it is perceived. The formula I used was this:

I calculate Current Efficiency Ratings or CER this way: (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks) - (turnovers + field goals missed + free throws missed) — for the remainder of the season, I wil be using team averages for these values.

As per the collected opinion of most UAAP pundits, I chose to segregate the eight UAAP schools into the following tiers:

Tier 1: DLSU Green Archers (defending champs and title favorites)

Tier 2: UST Growling Tigers, NU Bulldogs, FEU Tamaraws, ADMU Blue Eagles, and UE Red Warriors (all Final Four contenders)

Tier 3: ADU Soaring Falcons and UP Fighting Maroons (Final Four long shots)

The Games That Play Us: Well That Was Fun

It was a great weekend of UAAP action again as Ateneo, NU, and UE, remained
unbeaten while UST defeated FEU.

The De La Salle Green Archers might just be the most fun (or at least most interesting) team to watch this season. 

0-2? Sure, but consider the following:

- Last weekend, their coaching staff wore apple green pants that would make green apples scream, “APPLE GREEN!”
- In their loss to Ateneo, Arnold Van Opstal thought Ren Ren Ritualo was his teammate and, of course, threw the former King Archer a baseball pass from the low block.
- Admittedly, Jason Perkins is a beast, and that smirk after every made basket reminds me of DLSU players of old (Hello, Mac Cardona!).
- And, again, AVO provides some entertainment even after the game by possibly getting himself penalized for a forearm (closed fist?) to the back of former teammate Ponso Gotladera’s head. (http://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/dlsu/63974-uaap-considering-suspension-arnold-van-opstal)

Man, these Archers might be staring at the other teams from the bottom of the barrel, but there isn’t any dull moment with them.

But on to the games now.

2014 UAAP Power Rankings as of July 14, 2014

How do the teams stack up after opening weekend?
(images by Jan Dizon/Inboundpass.com)

These rankings are based on each team's Current Efficiency Ratings, the point difference in its game results, and “bonus points” for beating a team based on its “tier” or how strong it is perceived. The formula I used was this:

I calculate Current Efficiency Ratings or CER this way: (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks) - (turnovers + field goals missed + free throws missed) — for the remainder of the season, I wil be using team averages for these values.

As per the collected opinion of most UAAP pundits, I chose to segregate the eight UAAP schools into the following tiers:

The Games That Play Us: Of Statement Games and Green Pants

It's that time of the year again! #CollegeBasketball #UAAP77
Those green pants tho...

UAAP Season 77 opened with a bang this past weekend thanks to some statement games from UE, FEU, Ateneo, and NU, while DLSU made, well, its own fashion statement.

UE with a statement game against lowly UP

Raise your hand if you pegged Dan Alberto to lead UE in scoring in its first game of the season. Yes, he had that great game against Ateneo in Season 76, scoring 14 points in the Warriors’ first round W (72-68) over the Eagles. This time around, Alberto canned 5 triples on his way to a team-high 15 markers, leading the Reds to a rousing blowout of the hapless Maroons. This was unexpected, of course, but perhaps even more surprising was ace playmaker Roi Sumang dropping just 7 points. Sumang shot 3/8 from the field overall and was visibly content being the main facilitator for his teammates. He handed out a game-high 6 assists.

UAAP Season 77 preview – UP, UE, DLSU, FEU

The UAAP begins today and so we preview the first four teams who’ll see action – the Fighting Maroons, the Red Warriors, the Green Archers, and the Tamaraws!

Top left: Kyles Lao hopes to lead UP to its first win in years.
Top right: Roi Sumang is due for an MVP-type season.
Bottom left: Jeron Teng should lead DLSU back to the title.
Bottom right: FEU is now Mike Tolomia's team.

UP FIGHTING MAROONS

Last season: Finished last with zero wins.

Roster:

Name	Height	Position
AMAR, Agustini	6’2	G/F
ASILUM, Henry	5’9	PG
BEDERI, Darwish	6’7	C
DARIO, Diego	5’8	PG
ESCALAMBRE, Carlo		G
GALLARZA, Joseph	6’5	PF
GINGERICH, Moriah	6’2	SF
GONZALES, Nhomer
HARRIS, Andrew	6’4	PF
JURUENA, Mark	6’5	PF/C
LAO, Kyles	6’0	SG
LIM, Jarrell		G
MORALDE, Dave	6’2	SG/SF
PASCUAL, Martin	6’5	C
REYES, Mikee	5’9	PG
VITO, Angelo	6’5	C

UAAP Season 77 Men’s Basketball Team Rosters

The official UAAP Season 77 Men’s Basketball Tournament rosters have been released! Check them out below!

Notably absent, of course, are Jerie Pingoy and Hubert Cani from Ateneo.

Some lineups, however, reflect more than 16 names even if 16 is the limit. AFAIK, the following are NOT part of their team’s final roster though their names appear on this official list:

Ateneo: Anton Asisitio (confirmed he’s part of Team Glory B and not Team A).
UPDATE as of JULY 5, 2014: Anton Asistio, apparently, is part of Team A. It's Paul Siarot, instead, who got cut.

FEU: Spin.ph reported that Arnie Padilla and Billy Joe Belga were cut from the final 16.
UST: Former Hope Christian HS star PG Janrey Garrido is cut from the team after coach Bong Dela Cruz finally decides to let DLSZ product Renzo Subido play in Team A.

Are you ready for the new UAAP season?

The 2014 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup: April 26, 2014 Roundup

Action in the 2014 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup heated up yesterday as the men’s teams took to the hardwood. At the end of the day, FEU, San Sebastian, San Beda, and De La Salle all came away with debut wins.

(Left) Arthur Dela Cruz saves the ball, (Middle-Top) Terence Mustre debuts for DLSU,
(Middle-Bottom) Mike Tolomia drives strong, and (Right) Jaymark Perez impresses anew for Baste.

Roundup:

In the day’s opener, the San Sebastian Golden Stags leaned on their frontline to fashion out an 81-78 win over the UP Fighting Maroons. Rhanzel Yong led the Stags here, shooting 7/13 from the floor to finish with 16 points in just 18 minutes of action. He was backstopped by Jaymark Perez, who recorded an all-around stat-line – 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Fil-Aussie Bradwyn Guinto also impressed, recording 11 markers, 4 boards, and 2 blocked shots. It was a tight game all throughout, but the Stags held sway mainly because they clobbered the Maroons on the glass, 59-39, and had 22 second-chance points to just 2 for UP. Former San Beda Red Lion Dave Moralde led UP with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists, while the backcourt trio of Henry Asilum, Kyles Lao, and the returning Mikee Reyes combined for 42 markers.

The 2014 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup: April 25, 2014 Roundup

Action in the 2014 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup continued yesterday at the San Juan Arena with a pair of Juniors division games and three Women’s division games. The biggest winners yesterday were the UPIS Junior Maroons and the JRU Light Bombers.

2014 Filoil Flying V hoops action continued yesterday with more
Women's and Juniors games.

Roundup:

In the day’s opener, the UPIS Junior Maroons bounced back from their opening day loss by turning back the challenge of the San Sebastian Staglets, 87-64. Bannered by big man Enzo Barraquias, John Gregorio, and the Gomez de Liano brothers, UPIS opened things up in the second quarter and never looked back. Barraquias ended up with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Gregorio added 12 points, 6 boards, and 5 dimes. Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, both of whom finished grade school in Ateneo, combined for 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists in the victory. Jem Cruz starred for Baste with 10 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots.

The Games That Play Us: Controversial Wednesday

I have to admit, I didn’t watch the Wednesday games with much intensity. I was, instead, focused on twitterverse, where updates about the UAAP Board’s decision (read: reaction) regarding the Temporary Restraining Order handed down by Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz of Regional Trial Court Branch 226 and updates about decisions on personnel suspensions and appeals were being shared.

Even Ray Parks's superb outing against UP was in the background
as other pressing issues seized the imagination of UAAP observers.

Thanks to the tweets of fellow sportswriters, it was revealed that the UAAP Board honored the TRO, but didn’t allow Mikee Bartolome (the plaintiff) to swim for UP. That was, of course, in contradiction to what the RTC actually wanted. Judge Sta. Cruz clearly stated that the UAAP should “cease and desist from imposing the residency rule and allow the plaintiff to be eligible so she can participate in the UAAP swimming competition this coming Sept. 19, 2013.”

Crystal clear.

The Games That Play Us: Whattaweekend

That was quite a weekend of UAAP basketball. Most of the games were pretty tight (yes, even the customary shellacking of UP had some “tight” moments), and there were several storylines that underscored the importance of each encounter. More than these, however, the consequent implications of the game results, as well as other… actions, are the ones really worth focusing on. Another UE suspension, anyone? How about a near tussle between a coach and a fan? Oh, man. Whattaweekend indeed.

Kiefer Ravena struggled with his shots against
the intense Archer defense.
(image by Reiley Udasco/Fabilioh)

It all started, of course, with Adamson trouncing the bejeezus out of the UP Fighting Maroons. Nothing really new there, of course, since this is the Diliman quintet’s tenth loss of the season. The more UP plays, the more I am convinced that no matter whom the coach is, this team is bound to fail. It’s not really because of the lack of talent (there is considerable depth here). It’s not because of the playing/coaching system. It’s not because the team doesn’t have a backer (because they DO have a backer already!). I daresay it’s just the way the university approaches the basketball team. I am not even really talking about the administration or the people behind the athletics program. I am sure they care. But how about the rest of the university? Do they really feel they have a stake in how well (or how miserable) this basketball team does? Do people care about this team?

Some Early UAAP Second Round Impressions & Projections

As Maring exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility and the Habagat continues to paralyze the nation’s capital, I am forced to, among other things, reflect on the early second round games of the UAAP and what lies ahead. Here are some team-by-team thoughts that have stood out so far:

Are Terrence Romeo's Tamaraws ready for a Final Four run,
or another Final Four failure?

UP: Sadly, the Maroons still suck.

The Maroons are still winless, and things aren't exactly looking to improve moving forward DESPITE (or because of) the controversial change in coaching. I am happy for Sam Marata and Kyles Lao, though. Marata is getting the shots he always wanted (was promised?) when he was with DLSU, and though he's never going to be the league's best scorer, at least the Maroons have a post-Mike Silungan go-to-guy. Lao, however, is another story. When I first saw this kid play for Xavier in the Milo SBP several years ago, I already sensed something special about him. His talent definitely shone through in helping the Golden Stallions perform well in the last few Tiong Lian tournaments and in being a stalwart of the the Energen Pilipinas Youth Team. So far, he has been a fearless and peerless neophyte contributor for the Maroons, and, with just 6 games to go, I have no doubt we already have a runaway Rookie of the Year winner.

Weighing in on the UP Coaching Telenovela

Here's some unsolicited advice for BOTH the UP Fighting Maroons Basketball Program and its (apparently) former head coach, Ricky Dandan.

Coach Ricky bids adieu (or good riddance?)
to the Fighting Maroons.
(image by Josh Albelda/Rappler.com)

For UP:

Get your act together.

Yes, you've been the UAAP hoops doormats for far longer than anybody has thought possible.

Yes, you've won only 3 of your last 36 UAAP games, and, yes, the last of those three wins happened, strangely enough, exactly one year ago.

The Games That Play Us: The Start of SOMEthing NEW?

See what I did there?

I mean, all we really need to talk about is that superb exclamation point of a slam by Chris Awesome, right?

It’s the kind of play that punctuates a statement win – the kind of play that can excite fans and teammates and, maybe, turn a whole season around.

Chris Newsome's slamma jamma reignited the flames in Loyola.
(image by Arvin Lim/Fabilioh.com)

Never mind Kiefer Ravena slowly looking more like his true self in scoring 15 points and dishing out 3 assists.

Never mind that Ryan Buenafe continued his stat-stuffing ways with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Never mind that Ateneo was +11 in rebounds and +9 in assists.

Never mind that the Eagles shot 35% from downtown.

Never mind that the Katipuneros finally strung together a terrific third period, outscoring UP, 19-10.

Never mind all those trappings.