As Pinoy basketball fanatics await with excited expectation the championship battles in both the UAAP and NCAA collegiate leagues, Hidilyn Diaz’ triple gold success in the recent World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota, Colombia did not appear to have made a splash in the country’s sports consciousness.
Because this period is the season of basketball in the same way that from September to December is Christmas season for all Pinoys, nothing but hoop news appears to be in the sports marquee.
(Diaz’ triumph qualifies her to the 2024 Paris Olympics as she is determined to duplicate her performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she gifted the Philippines with its first-ever Olympic gold medal after nearly a century of participation.)
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At any rate, the defending titleholder Colegio de San Juan de Letrán is just a win away from completing a triple championship journey after escaping the ax from College of St. Benilde., 81-75 last Sunday.
The Muralla-based squad of coach Bonnie Tan displayed true championship experience as they drew first blood in their titular best of three series.
The Blazers will try to level the series and avoid the Knights’ deadly spears and a chance for survival at the Araneta Coliseum.
The pressure is on CSB mentor Charles Tiu’s shoulders though.
He has no excuse to offer if he loses twice in a row in the same manner that coach Bonnie Tan will neither offer one if CSB is able to stretch the series to a do-or-die Game 3.
The better team always wins?
I guess not.
The hungrier team – the one that wants it more – does.
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In the UAAP, I goofed when I initially gave DLSU the thumbs up to get into the Final Four and got disappointed after injuries prevented three of coach Derrick Pumaren’s stars from playing in the playoff versus Adamson.
The Green Archers lost in a match they could have won.
Nonetheless, basketball fans are excitedly delighted that a high-octane best of three finals series between defending champion UP and Ateneo is happening again.
Ateneo’s pride was deeply scratched when the Fighting Maroons took away the UAAP tiara from them last season.
That loss prevented Tab Baldwin from securing a four-peat record but gave young Goldwyn Monteverde a rare gem at collegiate coaching.
Of course, the counseling he gets from consultant (and former UP mentor) Bo Perasol, a former PBA coach, is a key factor in the former’s improved strategies.
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Meantime, Rain Or Shine coach yeng Guiao has lamented the flexibility that PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has granted the Bay Area Dragons who are able to use alternately two imports.
At best, the underdog ROS can only exert its best effort to shake off the threat of outright elimination, needing to beat a twice to beat opponent that is not only strong on paper but in real strength,
The Dragons have earlier served notice that they are substituting scoring wizard Mike Powell with the taller and heftier but equally explosive Andrew Nicholson as their import in the quarterfinals.
As you read this, you may have already known the results. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
