In my book, the Green Archers, on paper, are the team to beat in the UAAP 86th basketball season.
They have an intact team with only Schonny Winston graduating into the PBA ranks.
hey also have a new mentor in Topex Robinson, a former PBA bench strategist DLSU management yanked out from the Phoenix franchise.
Robinson earned his first win when his boys comfortably disposed off FEU, 87-76 on the second day of competitions.
NU proved it can turn the tables around when the Bulldogs “upset” the defending champion Ateneo, 77-64 while UP displayed a fiercely competitive running team, waylaying Adamson, 68-51.
Of course, until the big guns – Ateneo, UP, NU and DLSU – collide against each other are we able to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
The Blue Eagles’ Tab Baldwin concedes that his platoon consists of many new faces and may not appear able and ready to defend their crown.
Jeff Napa somewhat solved the Ateneo puzzle. The Bulldogs displayed a tougher defense and superior outside shooting than the Katipunan boys.
Let us see how coach Topex will handle the situation when DLSU meets Ateneo tomorrow in a very early collission with their archrivals.
It might be too disparaging for us if we disregard the other member schools but the harsh reality is that they are not in the running for podium honors.
Maybe they can spoil the party but that is all they can do.
UP will shadow DLSU all the way. Malik Diouf is not the reigning MVP for nothing. He continues to hold sway in the middle and he has learned a lot.
PITIFUL OVERALL PINOY RESULTS
A hearty round of applause for EJ Obiena, the first Pinopy gold medalist in the 19th Asian Games!
Nearly 400 Pinoy athletes, coaches, officials cum chaperones went to the Hangzhou Asian Games financed by the Philippine government.
Taxpayers’ money was spent and all the Pinoy delegation has to show at this time is the gold medal won by polevaulter EJ Obiena.
Eumir Marcial is in the semis, dismissing his stubborn Thai foe with a second round KO in the 80kg boxing weight division. Let us pray he also secures a difficult trip to the finals and snares the gold while we wait with bated breath for Carlo Paalam’s fate in the 51kg category.
The results of Hidilyn Diaz’ and her weightlifting teammates’ performasnce are still being awaited.
POC President Bambol Tolentino was all hope that the Pinoys can equal their four gold medal haul at the 2018 Indonesia edition.
The picture is not that bright but hope rests eternal.
For transparency’s sake, the PSC will have to make an accounting of how much exactly was expended for the Pinoy delegation to China so that the people can make their own deductions.
We have been suffering for too long a drought in the international stage that we comfort ourselves when a Pinoy takes home a lone gold.
Something drastic – some radical improvements – must come.
The Philippines cannot remain a doormat forever. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
