0-1 AGAD, PERO MAY PAG-ASA

Full popcorn mode ako kanina sa pagsisimula ng UAAP Season 71 kahit namiss ko pa yung opening ceremonies, yung first game between FEU at Adamson, at yung first 27 minutes ng second game between perennial chokers UE and my beloved alma mater, UST. Bad trip nga lang kasi na-bruise yung ego ko sa pagkatalo ng UST. But all in all, I saw a lot of reason to be optimistic about this season. Pero siyempre, may mga nakita pa rin akong rason para maging pessimistic. Sabi nga, “You take the good with the bad.”

That said, here are my thoughts and observations on the last 13 minutes of the game:

• Mamaw si Jervy Cruz--26 points, 22 rebounds playing basically on one leg. Kung hindi siguro siya injured, mahina ang 30 points and 25 rebounds sa kanya. Parang maso lang sa loob e, lahat ng bumangga, giba.
  
• Speaking of Jervy Cruz, is it still really too early para ibigay na sa kanya ang MVP trophy? Wag lang siya papa-technical (that stupid real that made Rich Alvarez an MVP), he’ll most probably win his second MVP award.
  
• Turning point of the game: Down by two, nagmagaling si Allera at tumira ng ill-advised 3 in transition; expectedly, sumablay yung tira, leading to a UE fastbreak and a foul on Hans Thiele. Na-shoot niya yung unang free-throw pero sablay yung pangalawa. Nakuha ni Elmer Espirtu yung offensive rebound, na- foul, at na-shoot pa yung jumphook for a three-point play. Seven-point swing right there.
  
• For the most part, parang Milwaukee Bucks ang uste—puro tira sa labas (2-20 from three). Somebody ought to remind Cuan, Allera, Ababou, et al., na kakampi nila si Jervy Cruz, ang soon-to-be back-to-back MVP ng UAAP.
  
• Sayang din dahil ang daming long, athletic wingmen ng UST. They should be attacking the basket a lot more instead of pulling up for ill-advised treys. In particular, I’d like to see Dylan Ababou attack the rim more aggressively. He’s too lanky and athletic to be wasting away at the perimeter.
  

Dynamic Duo: Dylan Ababou (left) needs to attack the rack more often; Jervy Cruz (right) has to be the focal point on offense every single possession he's in. (Photos courtesy of rmsports.com)

• That said, the game plan of UST for the next 13 games should be this simple: give the ball to Jervy Cruz at the post and let him take charge. Maraming open looks na mage-generate if they play through Jervy Cruz. Sadly, the simplest things can be the hardest things to do.
  
• Kelangan din makahanap si UST coach Pido Jarencio ng magandang motivational tactic to get the most out of his players (like that 3Ps thing in 2006). The only way UST will win the title is for the players to be extremely motivated, just like they were in 2006. I say this kasi Coach Pido isn’t really that good of a coach when it comes to X’s and O’s and in-game adjustments. But if he can have his players play their hearts out, malaking bagay yun.
  
• Early in the 4th quarter, pinakita ng Studio 23 yung “Samsung Match-up” for the game. Jervy Cruz (24 points, 18 rebounds) vs. some guy named Llagas (5 points, 4 rebounds). Kung ganon ka-lopsided yung match-up, dapat pa bang magsayang ng effort para gawan ng graphics?
  
• Nag-improve na ang form ni Japs Cuan sa tira na, especially sa free-throw. He still can’t shoot, but at least, maayos na mechanics ng tira niya so that’s a step in the right direction. Sad, though, kasi hindi na big adventure every time magpi-free-throw si Cuan.
  
• Speaking of Cuan, I have this stinking feeling na he’s Paul Artadi Version 2.0—a lighting-quick jitterbug who can run an offense but can’t shoot or score.
  
• I love the “what-the-fuck-did-I-do” looks that players give nowadays. Naniko na’t lahat, pa-inosente effect pa. It’s also called the “Tim Duncan/Manu Ginobili” look.
  
• So, Elmer Espiritu is now officially the proud owner of the most well-thought of, most creative, most original nickname in college basketball: “Double E.”
• Overkill 101: Best Player of the Game: Hans Thiele; Jolibee Champ of the Game: Elmer Espiritu; Inaasahan Player of the Game: Marcy Arellano. Hindi ba talaga pwedeng “Player of the Game” na lang?