Helter skelter basketball at its finest.
Heart in its purest form.
The above mentioned lines come to mind when we begin talk about the FEU/Adamson matchup from earlier today. Win or go home, do or die, and all the other clichés you can think of. In the end, the more stable team under duress went home the victor. The squad that went down, while defeated, could not be judged as one lacking intestinal fortitude. Until the final buzzer, they scratched, clawed, and fought their way through adversity. Sometimes though, whatever you do, it just isn’t enough to get you over the proverbial hump.
In basketball, upsets are a part of life. Today, we saw the 3rd seed FEU Tamaraws upend the highly touted Adamson Soaring Falcons, 78-74.
This match was a classic. Falcons standout Alex Nuyles, who played with a bum ankle, only managed 11 points, and may soon encounter a maelstrom of criticism for having forced the issue on a number of vital plays down the stretch. Tamaraws youngsters Russel Escoto and Mike Tolomia broke out, scoring 10 and 19 points respectively. Terence Romeo of FEU was his usual whirling dervish self, scoring on jumpers, floaters, and suicide drives towards netting 15 markers. Reigning MVP RR Garcia managed 11 points.
The highlight of the game, though, was 5th year point guard Jerick Canada’s last stand.
Canada, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the final period, could hardly stand after rallying his Falcons from the grave. From being down 70-59 in the dying minutes of the game, Canada scored on a number of drives and jumpshots, refusing to walk off into the sunset without a finals appearance. Alas, the diminutive guard’s efforts were to no avail, only managing to bring Adamson within 74-71 on his final conversion.
In the end, the Tams booked their second consecutive UAAP Finals appearance against arch rivals Ateneo De Manila. With tears in the eyes, the San Marcelino boys could only hang their heads and think of what could have been. So close, and yet, so far. Adamson coach Leo Austria had lost his 4th straight Final Four appearance since 2006. Bert Flores, meanwhile, once again finds himself gazing at glory locked within a glass box. So close, and yet so far still, for FEU. This common theme between these two teams makes for an interesting future for both.
For the Falcons, an offseason of big questions comes forth. With guards Lester Alvarez and Jerick Canada on their way out, who will man the Falcons’ backcourt next season? With Alex Nuyles’ clunker of a ballgame against the Tams, will his reputation as “The Next Big Thing” be tarnished with tags of “talent, but no composure”, and “sound of body, but not sound of mind”? How does this all affect Leo Austria’s psyche?
For FEU, how does this amazing run affect their chances against recently floundering Ateneo? Will Coach Flores pull a Houdini and give guys like Senju, Cawaling and Nondou minutes? Will the Tams fall against Ateneo’s championship defense? Will mercurial guards like Tolomia and Romeo be able to keep it together amidst the pressure of the big dance? Will Aldrech Ramos and RR Garcia be able to be the glue that holds the Tams’ youngsters together?
This appetizing menu awaits us and is set to be served to Philippine College Hoops-dom beginning September 24th at 3pm.
What a day to be a baller. What a day to be a fan.
Helter skelter. Beauty amidst chaos. Speed. Elevation. Excitement. Dreams made tangible.
Passion. Immortality.
History.
The UAAP Finals are upon us.
MC
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