In the first overtime game of season 71, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers outlasted the resilient Adamson University Soaring Falcons 86 - 80 yesterday at the Philsport Arena.

Dylan Ababou and Jervy Cruz carried the fight for the Tigers to finally put away the pesky Falcons in the overtime period.

The Tigers were ahead by 70 - 63 with just 2:14 left in the game. But the Falcons never surrendered, coming up with 10 - 0 attack lead by Paul Gonzalgo, who came up with a steal, a fastbreak lay-up and the go ahead trey to push the Falcons into a 71 - 70 lead.

The Tigers seemed in the brink of defeat after losing the lead. After two free throws by Caniada with 13.7 seconds to go, the game was sent into extra period by a cold-blooded step back trey from Bautista.

In the OT period, Ababou scored nine points to finally took the fight out of the Falcons. The Falcons lost Caniada due to cramps.

The win improved the Tigers to 2-3 while the loss relegated the Falcons to 2 -4.

*****

In the first game, the Ateneo De Manila University continued the woes of the hapless National University 74 - 62.

The Blue Eagles are still undefeated while the Bulldogs has yet to win one.

Read More...

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws showed their title-contention form as they trounced their university belt neighbor, University of the East Warrriors 71 - 69 in the ongoing UAAP Season 71 Men's Senior Basketball competition at the Philsports Arena.

The Tamaraws are missing their second best gunner, Mac Baracael who was shot last Thursday by a yet unidentified gunman but is said to be in stable condition. Despite his absence, the Tams were able to keep instep with the Warriors due to the stellar play of veteran Benedict Fernandez.

The first two quarters saw two treys at the buzzer from both squad. In the first, JR Cawaling nailed a trey to give FEU a 16 - 15 lead. In the second canto, it was Marcy Arellano's rainbow heave from a well-executed play that turned the favor for UE, 33 - 31.

A bliztering start by the Warriors in the second half, propelled them to a big ten-point lead, 43 - 33. But Fernandez scored ten straight points of his own to level the count. The third canto ended with UE still up by two, 55-53.

The pay-off quarter saw two teams battle toe-toe. An Elmer Espiritu offensive rebound and power lay-in knotted the count at 66 all with 52.4 seconds left in the game. In the ensuing play, Barroca found the lane open for an uncontested lay-in putting FEU ahead, 68-66.

UE has actually two chances to tie the game but was thwarted by good inside defense from the Tams. Aldrech Ramos was fouled after getting the defensive rebound and converted two free throws, 70 - 66 with only 9.4 seconds to go.

Thiele's surprised three point basket off the glass helped UE threaten for the last time, 70 - 69.

Mark Barroca was immediately fouled in the next possesion. He made the first free-throw, missed the second but recovered his own miss as the Tamaraws escaped with the win and a 4 - 1 slate.

UE fell to an even 3-3 slate.


*****
In the first game, the De La Salle University Green Archers cruised to its fifth straight win as they crushed the University of the Philippines 82 - 60.

The Archers bench scoring proved to be enough to lead the Archers to another victory and dealt the reeling Maroons to another lopsided loss.


SOME DIVOTS:

I was surprised and moved a bit by the joint entrance of FEU and UE cheering squads in their halftime performance. Its the first time I witnessed a show of unity. I hope other teams will follow.

Coach Glenn Capacio, who I don't personally like because of his past tormenting of my favorite Allan Caidic in their hoop clashes in the past, earned my admiration by two endgame decisions. I hope he can be as successful as Coach Franz Pumaren.

It is interesting that UE has plays named Sacramento and Double Fists. Or I just heard it wrong?

I hope Baracael recovers asap for FEU's sake and the perpetrators of that ghastly shooting be apprehended immediately.

Read More...

The De La Salle Green Archers, perhaps took a page from the Adamson University's win over UE, handled the Falcons seriously in the early goings of the game to notch their fourth win in UAAP Season 71 Men's Senior Basketball yesterday on the Philsports Arena.

The Archer's defense forced the Falcons into numerous turnovers, limited the Falcons' main gunners and cruised to a relatively easy win 76 -71.

JV Casio once again spearheaded the Archers in the win.

*****

The University of East Warriors, meanwhile, vented their ire on host University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons 87 - 58 to bounce back from their upset defeat at the hands of the Falcons.

Hans Thiele scored 15 markers to lead the Warriors in trouncing this year's host. The lead even ballooned to forty points 81 - 41 as the Maroons suffered another setback after winning over NU.

Read More...

I just blogged about my first ever perfect game in my primary blog. As a fan, I have yet to witness one.

Bowling, perhaps, is the easiest among sports to accomplish a perfect game. A perfect game in bowling is striking out ten straight times and garnering a score of 300. Even so, it isn't everyday that I hear or read about it.

I know there is also one in baseball. A pitcher is credited a perfect game when no batter reaches base either via a hit or a walk. This is what I am dying to see in an actual game. I saw one in a movie, For the Love of the Game, which starred Kevin Costner as Billy Chapel, on the verge of retirement, accomplishing a perfect game in his last time at the mound.

If all breaks in 9-ball competition turned to a golden break, maybe that will also amount to a perfect game.

I don't know of other perfect game in other sports.

All I pray is that I see one in my lifetime.

Read More...