Season 73 Final Four - A seesaw affair

(Coach Leo Austria of the Adamson Falcons)

(Coach Glen Capacio of the FEU Tamaraws)

(Coach Dindo Pumaren of De La Salle Green Archers)

(Coach Norman Black of Ateneo Blue Eagles)

By Katherine Verances Marfal

Adamson University Soaring Falcons outclassed the De La Salle University Green Archers to gain the No.3 spot. Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws was able to hold on the top spot as they defeated Ateneo Blue Eagles. The result of these two matches created the pairings in the Final 4. Definitely, high-intense action, unpredictable, down to the wire ball game and battling for pride are the nature that the fans will expect from the top four teams of the premiere collegiate league in the country.

FEU Tamaraws (1) vs. DLSU Green Archers (4)

 In terms of incentives and history, the advantage is on the side of Tamaraws . However, the upset-minded Green Archers are always there to crush back and put their mark on the history book of UAAP. La Salle’s second round victory over the top seeded Tamaraws is a big morale booster going to a do or die showdown this Thursday. The Taft-based dribblers relied on hot shooting of Simon Atkins and strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter to pull a shock off against the league-leader Tamaraws. Despite this incredible performance, definitely the Green Archers will have a tall order in getting back in the finals after two years. Especially playing against a prolific and hungrier Tamaraws, which is an overwhelmed favorite to bag this year’s title, it seems no one would like to be in there place right now. All eyes are on sophomore sensation and league’s Most Valuable Player front-runner Ryan Roose Garcia. The 5 foot 11 spitfire posted not only career-high numbers but also a league-best 17 points per game and 2.4 assists per game during the elimination round. Obviously, the more experienced backcourt and frontline of the Tamaraws, definitely a big factor, but it appears the Green Archers have a deeper bench, based on their performance this season. Aside from Garcia, Glen Capacio will rely also to his holdovers like Smart Gilas teammate J.R. Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos, Reil Cervantes, Pipo Noundu and Paul Sanga. Meanwhile, Coach Dindo Pumaren’s squad will bank on team captain Atkins, Almond Vosostros and Joel Tolentino. Meanwhile someone like Maui Villanueva, Yutien Andrada and Ferdinand will have daunted tasks to outmatch the FEU’s heavyweights. The production of the second unit of Green Archers is more unpredictable and consistent, as the coaching staff effectively reshuffled their rotations. But in the end, it comes down how the young boys of the Green Archers can stick around to the battle-tested personnel of Tamaraws in the 48 minute game. The challenge for the Tamaraws is to prove everybody that there is no replay of last year’s let down against the U.E Red Warriors.

Ateneo Blue Eagles (2) vs. Adamson University Soaring Falcons (3)

It will be the rematch of the 2006 post season. This time the Blue Eagles have less firepower in their lineup while the Soaring Falcons have more balance in their offensive attack. Obviously, it was Ken Bono who carried the scoring cudgels for the Falcons as he honored the MVP in that season and a Final four appearance. Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles have their own version of Big Three as Macky Escalona, Dough Kramer and J.C Intal leading them to go back in the finals. Blue Eagles was able to overcome the Soaring Falcons but not in an easy way. Entering this post season, the San Marcelino-based dribblers are determined to end the 27 games losing streak against the Blue Eagles. Everyone believes that they can pull off an upset especially with more experience lineup at the helm. Unfortunately, their two game losses against the second seeded Eagles were hammered by bad execution in the end game. For the Blue Eagles, it was the system of Coach Norman Black, still the main reason why their grand slam dreams are still alive. In addition to that, some young players are capable of playing like a veteran. Meanwhile the old reliables continue to stabilize the team. In the back court battle, it appears the Soaring Falcons have slight edge over the defending champion. Jerick Canada and Lester Alvarez considered as one of the best point guard combination this season. Both Guys can deliver huge plays and make good decision in the end game. On the other side, it was the inconsistency of Emman Monfort and the inability of playing the point of Kirk Long which made the Blue Eagle’s back court unreliable. In the wing position, Eric Salamat and Ryan Buenafe have an upper hand against the likes of high-flying Alex Nuyles and Janus Lozada because of their experience. In the front court, it seems the Soaring Falcons can dominate this department against the young front line of the Blue Eagles. But during their match up, Nico Salva, Frank Golla and Justin Chua had turn down Michael Galinato, Eric Camson and Jan Collina by outhustling under the board. This final four series turn out to be an explosive aerial duel. One team, who would like to continue their domination in the league and make another title run, while the other one is seeking to take all the opportunities that they have right now, which is missing for a long time. Definitely, the winner is pretty hard to determine, but it will come to a deciding match.

Once the Final Four officially tip-off, it is now or never for the players, especially to those who are graduating this season. It is all about how these cagers can live up to the challenge and play all heart out in jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.

(Photos by: Katherine Verances Marfal)

(Katherine Verances Marfal is a freelance writer. Among the publications she writes for are the Manila Bulletin, Sports Digest, Panorama and Pilipino Star Ngayon. She is a graduate of Philippine Normal University).

Norman Black on another UAAP Battle

By Katherine Verances Marfal

As the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) began its new chapter on July 10, 2010, all is set to witness the unveiling of a brand new season. Aside from the glamorous opening where this year’s host De LaSalle University lead the rites, the spectators were also excited about the upcoming performances of all participating schools, especially in the Men’s Basketball.


University of the East Red Warriors and Far Eastern University Tamaraws are parading intact lineups as always. Adamson University Falcons is also a team to reckon after their impressive finish in some pre-season tournaments. Green Archers and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are on the rebuilding process but still surrounded with so much talent. National University Bulldogs will now have new voice under head coach Manolito “Eric” Gonzales and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons is having the best roster in five years.

Of course, the team which caught the attention of everyone is back to back champion Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles. Even they lost three most important players from their title runs, the boys from Loyola are still capable of duplicating what they did in two years, especially with Norman Black in the sidelines. Throughout the years, the system of Black is the key ingredient in the Blue Eagles’ success.

It has been a year since they bagged their fifth men’s title; now, Black is ready to discuss their preparations for the upcoming season.

“We played in Father Martin’s Cup this summer; we played in Filoil Cup this summer, we trained in the states for few weeks. Since then we took one week off, then we came back to practice last Monday,” Black said.

He also insisted that there are not many changes about their preparation as compared to the recent years.

“No, the preparation remains the same, there are no changes. We still try to get the team in the best possible position and condition that we can. We also work on our offense and defense to prepare on the system”

Black also introduced five new guys from team B who will be vital in their quest for another crown.

“Were pretty lucky, we have five new players on the team Jp Erram, Jason Escueta, Jeric Estrada ,Art Dela Cruz and Paolo Balmaceda. Fortunately, we have five guys on Ateneo from team b to team a, who can fill the places of those players who leave. All things will be difficult just like a year before Chris Tiu left, most people said that we may not be strong next year because we will lose leadership and scoring. “

He is still confident that the guys who are coming in will fill up the shoes of the veterans who already graduated. Defensive specialist Nonoy Baclao, steady playmaker Jai Reyes and 2008 UAAP MVP Rabah Alhussani are not coming back this season. Eric Salamat and Ryan Buenafe are no longer assuming the supporting role. Salamat was a starter last year so that he doesn’t have any adjustments to his role according to 52 year-old mentor. Buenafe, former Rookie of the Year awardee is expected to be the focal point of Ateneo’s offense.

For Black, he believes that the players already adjust to their new roles on the team. Since their championship ride last season, the team competed in different tournaments without the three starters who already graduated. Aside from guiding the players in their basketball career, Black and Ateneo management are also making an effort in supporting their studies. Black described that being an Atenean is a big challenge for the players. The management is motivating the players to study and do well in their academic subjects. He also added that this is not a UAAP rule; it’s solely an Ateneo rule.

When asked, what are the similarities between his being a coach and a family man, here is what he said:

“Well you have to be a leader that is no. 1. You have to mange well and set a good example to your children”.

Black has a Filipina wife, whom he met through former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Jun Bernardino. He has three children Dominic, 25 years old, Aaron, 13 years old, who is also playing in the junior basketball team of Ateneo, and his step son Kristoff who is already 32 years old.

(Photos by Katherine Verances Marfal)

(Katherine Verances Marfal is a freelance writer. Among the publications she writes for are the Manila Bulletin, Sports Digest, Panorama and Pilipino Star Ngayon. She is also a Web Content Writer and teaches Pre-school at Philippine Normal University).