Following its 23-point Game One shellacking in the hands of the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Saturday, the ball is now on FEU’s court to make things happen. A victory in the next game is a must for the Tamaraws not only because it will extend the series to a rubber match Game Three on Saturday but more importantly it will stem a potentially tough introspection in the event of a loss.
While not necessarily an overwhelming favorite to take the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 73 title, still FEU was considered a formidable protagonist coming into the best-of-three finals. Practically blew the competition out in the eliminations to finish with a league-topping 12-2 card, having the necessary pieces to go all the way and had the number of Ateneo after sweeping the latter in their two-game elimination encounter, the Tamaraws were deemed in good form pre-finals. That was until they unraveled big time in the finals opener.
True, being newbies in the titular the Tamaraws, as capable as they are, were viewed with a tinge of caution. Experience, or lack there of, was a concern for them up against the two-time defending champions Eagles. But still I do not think everybody expected the Tams to be taken to school badly by Ateneo and greatly outplayed the way they did in Game One.
In almost every department the Tamaraws were disconcertingly found wanting. Their league-best 74-point average was nowhere to be seen as they were held to just 49 points on 27% shooting (17-of-63). They only managed to dish out nine assists to Ateneo’s more fluid 18, were outrebounded 46-40, and had zero fast break points; numbers hardly representative of the no. 1 seeding they held throughout the season.
So what happened to the Tamaraws in Game One? No doubt it was mental more than anything else. While physically they were prepared to go to battle, mentally as a group they were not, resulting in an attack that got easily picked when things did not go their way. They seemingly failed to realize the magnanimity of the whole setting that when the direction of the match veered away from what they were expecting, collectively they bogged down.
And it was a total no-show for the Tamaraws as they were left as mere "spectators." League most valuable player RR Garcia was only good for 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting and a non-factor in the game. FEU’s big men, in particular Aldrech Ramos and Neil Cervantes, were conspicuously "missing" in Game One, combining for just 13 markers and their interior play ineffective. While the two had much success against their Ateneo counterparts in their previous meetings, in the opener the tables were turned on them by the likes of Justin Chua and JP Erram. To think that the Eagles were missing the service of big man Jason Escueta due to suspension made the FEU biggies’ "non-appearance" all the more confounding.
In Game Two tomorrow, a changed mind-set should be in the cards for the Tamaraws. For all intents, the match is not only a bounceback game but also a chance for them to save face. They should come into the game every bit prepared and all parts ready to function as failure to do so could spell disaster as they rudely saw and felt in Game One.
It is definitely not over for the Tamaraws but they have their work cut out. And for their own good they should show up and take the challenge head-on as they risk ruing a promising season gone sour.
Thursday UAAP schedule at the Araneta Coliseum:
3 p.m. -- Awarding rites;
4 p.m. -- Game Two of the finals.
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