Bask3tball

I was expecting a boring game…
I was expecting the FEU Tamarraws to run roughshod over the Lyceum Pirates…
I was expecting Lyceum, who only had Lansang as their go to guy (Mr. Trip Double), to cry “Uncle” in the first quarter…

Up till the first quarter, when the scoreboard tallied 26-16 in favor of FEU, I was expecting to take that prediction to the bank. Of course in the Second Quarter both teams started to even out with 20 a piece then Lyceum decided to go for it and got 27-17 against FEU at the end of the 3rd.

Due to lackluster defense by FEU at the 6:41 mark of the fourth, the Pirates were able to tie the game at 71 all. Forcing FEU Coach, Glenn Capacio to call a time out to wake his boys up. Coach Glenn should have woken up the scorer’s table too as it seemed that the officials there were so bored with the game that they were late in updating the scoreboard as well as made mistakes in the points.

FEU then did their thing as they wrested the lead back and never looked back. 2 Minutes remaining in the 4th quarter with the lead firmly in the hands of the FEU Tamarraws things turned from boring to ugly.

From the wing area, Lansang drove to the basket and was met by the double team of Fernandez and another guy, forcing him to pass. On the rebound play on the Lyceum miss, Lansang was able to get the ball back but started throwing his elbows around because of the pesky defense. One of which connected with Fernandez. Fernandez started jawing with Santiago, who was behind him and because of that got a punch from Santiago. Lansang in turn pushed Ramos in the back and they started exchanging “hello’s”. Kave of FEU then decided to say “hello” too having run all the way from the bench.

In the end, Santiago was thrown out of the game for punching. Lansang got an unsportsmanlike foul while Kave got thrown out of the game for leaving the bench. Free throws were given to FEU and they got away with an 88-75 win. They go on to meet UE.

My observations about the game. Barroca is impressive as ever, he scored 18 pts in the first half alone. FEU shot 50% in the first half. Barracael is still as determined as ever. Cawaling seemed to be just coasting in the game, holding back I suppose. FEU’s trapping defense worked wonders for them in the 4th Quarter.

FEU is definitely a scary team this coming 71st UAAP season. But I was already thinking that during the 70th UAAP season. What with Mac Barracael and JR Cawaling in their roster. Mobile big men who can score from inside, wicked first step, can run the break and can kill you with their outside 3’s. All they lacked in the 70th season was a reliable center (after Guerrero got kicked out of the team) and some seasoning for their team.

I have yet to see though how their imports will fare. Kave and that other guys name.

Too bad I missed out on the second game, Ateneo versus Mapua, because I had to go to church already. Saw the first quarter though, where Kirk Long handled the PG chores. No Chris Tiu on the starting line-up. Looks like Coach Norman Black was out to get his rookies and sophomores acclimated to Collegiate play. He started with Chua, Buenafe, Baclao, Long and Salamat. Last I heard was that they won against Mapua. Next stop for them is the Green Archers.