UAAP Basketball- Four.

The Author with Former Ateneo De Manila University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ


18,817 screaming fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Inclement weather. Superb basketball. Fever pitch excitement.

The Eagles have completed their four peat.

Yesterday was game day, and although I went through quite a bit to get to the gym to see FEU and Ateneo play, was the trip worth all the trouble, or what?

After getting rained on, looking for parking for 40 minutes, braving through the mammoth crowds, etc., etc., etc., my significant other and I finally made it to the Upper Box A section of the Big Dome. The game was tight in the first half, with FEU leading after 20 minutes of action. After an RR Garcia layup with two ticks past 8 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, Ateneo went on a 12-0 blast on a hang time three point play by Tonino Gonzaga. The defending champions never looked back after that.

The Tams were totally shut down in the second half. Their propensity to run screen and rolls was thwarted by effective 3-2 zone D, and on switches, the Eagles' help shadowing aided them in forcing the enigmatic Terence Romeo to a 2-17 shooting night, and former MVP RR Garcia to a woeful 5-13 outing.

Bert Flores' boys also shot a miserable 2-20 from beyond the arc. The said stat typified a ballgame which featured Ateneo's crisp passing, patience in midrange sets, and swarming perimeter defense, propel a school with a rich basketball history to its first four peat, matching feats by La Salle's Franz Pumaren, and UST's Aric Del Rosario, from the 1990s.

"Coach Norman, I have 3 words for you- I love you!"

These were the words uttered by guard Emman Monfort during the thanksgiving mass at the Church of the Gesu at 8pm on gameday. I suppose that for all of the players- especially those going down from the proverbial "hill", playing for Team Ateneo had always been about pride, and passion, and a love for basketball which, all in all, equates to giving one's best in life. Bacon Austria, who many have said to be a bit of a "disappointment" going into the Seniors' division from High School, said that he would miss playing for the Blue and White, and that, no matter what his "haters" said, he still came out on top- with life lessons learned, 4 championships, and relationships with very special people he considered everlasting. Kirk Long had a laundry list of people to thank- from Fr. Nemesio Que, to his "titas" at school, to his classmates, to the supporters of the Blue Eagles.

In true Manny Pangilinan fashion, Chairman MVP took the podium, and in one fell swoop managed to echo the sentiments of many in the Ateneo universe that night.

"I spoke to Fr. Jett Villarin after the game today." the amiable Team Ateneo patron said. "We came up with a new slogan- One Big Five."

To this, Coach Norman Black jokingly replied, "Let's sit and enjoy this title first, my goodness." to the raucous laughter of the crowd at the Church of the Gesu.

Forward Bacon Austria mentioned in his speech that he just wanted to turn back time and "go back and do it all over again" because he had enjoyed his ride with Ateneo so very much. He added that while he was afraid of what the future held, he'd forever cherish his days in Loyola Heights.

As fans, we shall, for years to come, cherish Season 74. We saw some of the finest basketball the UAAP's seen in a long time played in the last few months. We've seen stars in the likes of Alex Nuyles, Ray Parks, and Terence Romeo take shape, and others, like the aforementioned Ateneo grads, and the likes of longtime UE wingman Paul Zamar, La Salle pointman Simon Atkins, and others, ride off into the sunset. Season 75 shall bring with it a new look and feel, with the Mall of Asia opening in 2012, and the now SM-run National University hosting the UAAP festivities. Indeed, the Philippines is NEVER absent of quality hoops which keep followers of all walks of life, utterly enthralled.

Another season in the books, and there lies much hope for the years to come, with a core of Slaughter, Ravena, and Salva running the show.

"All Out, All Heart"- such went UAAP Season 74's slogan. Ateneo lived up to that credo. All season, the Eagles played with a precision akin to the finest surgeon, and with a tenacity akin to one thing they have been for the past 4 years- champions.

And with that, we cap off one of the most memorable campaigns in recent UAAP history.

MC