The Week That Was: Tams snap two-game skid, halt UE’s four-game win streak

Well, the heavy rains during the week reduced the UAAP to just four exciting games last week, capped by one of the most spectacular finishes I ever saw.

The UAAP decided to postpone the UP-UE and UST-ADMU tussles scheduled last August 21 due to the heavy downpour of rainwater brought by typhoon “Maring” that flooded several parts of Metro Manila. Nevertheless, there was still plenty of basketball action.

Green Archers spoil new UP coach’s debut

New UP head coach Rey Madrid was met by a rude welcome during his first UAAP game this season as the La Salle Green Archers used an animated second half to flatten the Fighting Maroons, 85-63, last Saturday. Madrid took over from Ricky Dandan after UP’s loss to Ateneo two weeks ago.

As in previous games, UP started the game strong, dictating most of the first half. The Maroons were up, 42-35, in halftime. But the Archers were determined to get back into contention for the Final Four and opened the third period with fire in their eyes. They unloaded 26 markers in that quarter as opposed to UP’s 14, to get the upper hand, 61-56, going into the last ten minutes of play.

Then in the payoff period, DLSU relied on its solid defense and smooth running game to post a 24-7 run that sealed the game.

Four Archers scored in double digits – Jason Perkins, Almond Vosotros, Norbert Torres and Jeron Teng. Perkins led the team with 19 points and 16 boards, including 10 offensive caroms. Vosotros had 16 markers, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, while Torres finished with 16 points and 14 boards. Teng added 12 points and 4 caroms.

Renzar Asilum topscored for UP with 18 markers on 4-of-5 three point shooting, followed by Raul Soyud and Samuel Marata who had 11 points each. Soyud also hauled down 16 boards.

DLSU had 12 fast break points to none for UP. It also had the edge in rebounding, 55-42, including 25 offensive boards, and assists, 16-11. The Archers also shot better, 43% versus UP’s 34%.

Bulldogs gnaw Tigers to extend winning streak to four games

NU displayed another dominant performance on Saturday, this time at the expense of 2012 runner-up UST. Just a week after their 80-48 demolition of Adamson, the Bulldogs came out smoking again versus the Growling Tigers to score a convincing 75-61 victory, and their fourth win in a row. The last time they lost was on July 20, at the hands of the Falcons, 66-68. They also beat DLSU, 63-56, on July 28, and handed FEU its first loss of the season on August 14, 59-58.

Robin Roño played an inspired game versus the Tigers, uncorking five triples and missing only once from beyond the arc to finish with 19 points. Dennice Villamor also had an outstanding performance with 18 markers, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Bobby Ray Parks and Joshua Alolino added 10 points each.

This just proved that Parks does not always need to score heavily for NU to beat a formidable opponent. The Bulldogs are sending a strong statement in this second round that they mean business.

UST continues to struggle as main man Jeric Teng isn’t 100% yet. He only saw action for ten minutes against NU, scoring just two points. Karim Abdul carried most of the scoring load for the Tigers with 18 markers on top of 12 rebounds, while Kevin Ferrer added 11 points, 12 boards and five assists.

NU amassed 25 transition points and 15 turnover points to cruise to the easy W.

Blue Eagles survive big Falcons rally for fourth straight win

Ateneo turned a 33-26 halftime lead into a rout in the third quarter but encountered a fierce rally by Adamson in the final minutes before completing the 79-66 win. Entering the last quarter, the Eagles were ahead, 57-32, and even led at one point by 27 markers.

But the Falcons refused to give up and countered with an incredible 19-0 blast with 6’10” center Ingrid Sewa wreaking havoc in the paint with a number of three-point plays. Adamson came to within just eight points, at 55-63, with still over three minutes in the game.

But the deadly combination of Kiefer Ravena and Ryan Buenafe came up with big plays to douse cold water on the Falcons’ attempted comeback and preserve the win for the Eagles. They both finished with 18 markers each but Buenafe had a better all-around game with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

Sewa collected 17 points and six boards, while Jansen Rios, Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial all scored 14 points apiece.

Ateneo banked on a 22-8 fast break edge and a hot 48.4% shooting clip from the field.

Top Game of the Week: Tams outlast Warriors in double OT, 98-94

FEU passed a big test of character on Sunday as it faced a determined UE side that’s eager to score a fifth straight win. The Tamaraws went 0-2 in the second round after sweeping the first round. Moreover, they had to battle the inspired Red Warriors without star RR Garcia, who was slapped a one-game suspension for his second unsportsmanlike foul in the season.

The Tams came to the game raring to prove that their 7-0 first round achievement is no fluke, and that the two-game skid was just temporary. They dominated the first three quarters, 25-13 in the first, 42-31 in the second, and 59-46 in the third.

But the tables turned in the final canto, as the Warriors pulled themselves together to stage a 22-5 attack that tied the game at 70-all by the end of regulation.

Then in overtime, UE used its momentum to seize control of the game and even led by seven points, 84-77, with less than 30 ticks left.

But the bizarre happened.

The amazing Terrence Romeo converted a layup and then Mac Belo stole the ball from a poor inbound pass and drained a triple. Roi Sumang was fouled but made just one of his two free throws with only 11 seconds remaining. With the Tams having the last possession, Mike Tolomia faked a hand-off to Romeo and dribbled to the top for a game-tying trey that forced a second overtime at 85-all.

In the second extension, FEU finished what it started with Anthony Hargrove playing big with timely rebounds and a crucial put-back to put the finishing touches on the Tamaraws' 98-94 win. Finally, the Tams are back in the win column after dropping their first two games in the second round.

Man of the Week: Romeo took matters in his hands especially without Garcia. And this time, he did not disappoint. He sizzled with 30 big points, on top of 7 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals. He also hit the crucial shots in the first overtime.

Honorable mention goes to Tams Gryann Mendoza (15 points and 13 rebounds), Tolomia (13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists), and Hargrove (12 points, 7 rebounds).

Sumang also posted huge numbers for UE with 25 markers, 7 boards and 5 assists. Ralf Olivares also played above par, finishing with 21 points, 5 caroms and a block. Charles Mammie was a monster off the boards, grabbing an astounding 27 rebounds on top of 17 points and two blocks.

Who’s Hot: Jason Perkins versus UP (19 points, 16 rebounds), Robin Rono versus UST (19 points), Karim Abdul versus NU (18 points, 12 rebounds), Kiefer Ravena versus Adamson (18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Ryan Buenafe (18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals), and Ingrid Sewa versus Ateneo (17 points, 6 rebounds).

Who’s Not: Emmanuel Mbe versus UST (4 points in 29 minutes), Roider Cabrera versus Ateneo (3 points on 1-of-6 FG shooting), and Roger Pogoy versus UE (5 points in 31 minutes).

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.