Thoughts on Ondoy and a suggestion for UAAP fans

It's funny what a difference a few days can make in changing one's perspective. Just less than a week ago, a lot of focus was being given (this blog included) to the upcoming UAAP Finals match between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UE Red Warriors.


Then along came typhoon Ondoy, and with that, some lives were forever changed. I was fortunate enough to be living in an area that was not affected by flooding. The worst inconvenience I got was being incommunicado for 2 days (no internet connection/landline, plus a spotty cellphone signal). As i started to get these back, i was surprised shocked to see the devastation the rains had caused in Metro Manila.


In particular, a lot of friends and people i know had their homes and possessions submerged under water. Just yesterday, I was in the Pasig/Cainta area together with a few law classmates to help out a couple of people from our block who were victimized by the tragedy. Going around these areas gave me a sense of the extent of damage and the loss that the residents here suffered. I've reported on things like these before when i was still newscasting, but being there and having people you actually know as among those affected gave a totally different color to these events. 


It's things like these that make you realize what really matters. How things like a basketball game, while still followed with a passion, is just that. A game. 

Final Countdown (UAAP Finals)

So far, so good. Both my predictions for the UAAP Final 4 were on the money. It will be interesting to see if this holds up for the Finals series. So without further ado, here is my analysis for the upcoming Finals matchup between Ateneo and UE.

Most UAAP fans have installed Ateneo as the prohibitive favorite to defend the title they won last year. This belief is mostly based on the two wins that the Blue Eagles had over the Red Warriors this season. In both games, Ateneo's Rabeh Al-Hussaini imposed his will over the frontline of UE, averaging 28.5 points, and almost single-handedly gave his team the win. This exposed UE's lack of a true center, and Ateneo's superiority in that department. And while the rest of the starters for both teams might cancel each other out, it goes without saying that the boys from Loyola have the deeper bench. In addition, they also have more "name" players that are familiar even to the casual basketball fan. Indeed, a team that has a five of AlHussaini-Baclao-Buenafe-Salamat-Reyes has more ring to it than one which has Llagas-Espiritu-Acuna-Lee-Lingganay.

Looking at the numbers, I am almost tempted to join the bandwagon, and declare the Blue Eagles as champions even before the first shots have been fired. But something in my gut makes me feel that the Red Warriors have a decent shot at dethroning the Season 71 title-holders.

UAAP Final Four

Since everyone's been posting their detailed analysis on the upcoming UAAP Final Four matchups, i'll just keep mine simple, and stick with the predictions.

Matchup #1

The UAAP kicks off its Final Four tomorrow with the second seed, FEU Tamaraws going up against the third ranked UE Red Warriors.

With the latest twist in the Andy Barroca controversy pointing in this direction I would have to give the series to UE. Prior to this I would've favored FEU, but as it is, they are now a house divided.  

Prediction: UE

Matchup # 2

On Sunday the top seeded ADMU Blue Eagles tangle with the fourth seeded UST Growling Tigers.

For the Growling Tigers to beat Ateneo, their trio composed of league MVP Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza and rookie Jeric Teng have to score 60+ pts, limit the entire Blue Eagle Squad to less than that, and do it for 2 consecutive games.

Not going to happen. 

Prediction: ADMU

Up next: UAAP Finals and NCAA Final Four predictions (as soon as the pairings become clear)

For Love of... the Game?

As mentioned in my previous post, the motivation to restart this blog was brought about by a desire to give my 2 cents on this entire mess involving the top pick in the 2009 PBA draft, Japeth Aguilar.  

For those who haven't followed the particulars of this case, it basically revolves around the question of whether Japeth should sign the contract being offered by the PBA team that drafted him (Burger King), or follow his declared preference and play for the Smart Gilas developmental team under Rajko Toroman. Of course, this comes on the heels of a sudden turnaround from his earlier commitment to turn pro and sign the 3 year, 8.5 million peso contract.

This issue has been complicated further after a report filed by Rey Joble of Manila Standard Today alleged that Japeth was offered by Smart Gilas a contract more than double the amount being offered by Burger King. Some have even suggested that such a report might be libelous as it tends to malign the reputation of the young cager. 

My take on the issue is this: in an ideal world, Japeth should be free to play where he wants to. Regardless of whether his motivation is the love of flag or money, that shouldn't be put into question. After all, it's his basketball career. 

It's Alive!

After 3 long years this blog is back online again. =)

Why the long hiatus? Well, I got caught up doing a lot of other things (law school, newscasting, etc.) and over time just forgot that I had a blog.

That was, of course, until my friend and favorite online sports blogger firequinito posted this on his blog. Given my legal education and recent involvement with sportscasting, this issue was just right up my alley, and I felt the need to respond to it in greater detail.

As such, I'll resurrect this blog to post my thoughts on the most pressing basketball issue of the day: the Japeth Aguilar tug-of-war.

If time permits, I'll probably write about the current developments in the collegiate basketball leagues (NCAA and UAAP) plus other stuff that might pique my interest.

(Oh, and as I backread the old post it's funny how things actually turned out 3 years after. Hehehe.)