Game of the year, triumph for the ages
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Dec 2017
THE La Salle Green Archers failed to hold on to the UAAP basketball crown, dropping the championship match by two points, 88-86, on Sunday. The ascendant Ateneo Blue Eagles won the 80th UAAP championship in a game that won?t be easy to forget.
It?s indeed a win for the ages. It?s hands-down game of the year.
There are those who would try to call the Ateneo victory an upset, La Salle being a pre-championship favorite.
**
The memorable match will be given a dozen other glorious labels.
It?s similarly hard to zero in on a single factor that decided and clearly clinched the championship. There?s none.
Coach Tad Baldwin was quick to admit it: Everybody was great, but most specifically the entire Ateneo team.
Then he acknowledged the intangibles, stressing they were also able to build up on past defeats and mistakes.
**
Yes, it was a long, hard climb. But wasn?t Baldwin trying to underplay his very special role in the championship campaign.
?In the end, it?s MVP, it?s Mr. Pangilinan who should get credit for this,? Baldwin told a harried interviewer in the middle of the dazzled wood court.
Baldwin said MVP dealt them everything they needed. He did not have to elaborate.
**
One straying La Salle supporter tried to steal the scene and desperately flaunted a green team jersey that boasted ?La Salle Mentality.?
There were cliffs and sharp turns, there was blood, but what continued to dazzle Blue Eagle team devotees was the three-point basket that pushed Ateneo onto a 5-pt perch 24.7 seconds to go at the Smart-Araneta Dome on Sunday.
The divine shot was taken by six-foot-7 back-up center George Isaac Go from deep right arc, and looped on a rainbow burp way up over the goal. Go would however refuse to take credit, stressing it was done through clutch planning and support from everybody out there.
**
Congratulations Ateneo, hats off to La Salle for a noble stand. It would be reported the morning after that blue light enveloped the fa?ade of the La Salle building on Taft Ave. minutes after Ateneo won its first UAAP title in five years, its tenth overall in UAAP history.
That?s it. But in the end, the story won?t be complete without mention of coach Baldwin?s timely command for the Blue Eagles to break away from traditional championship ball starting Game 1 of the best-of-3 title showdown. Baldwin may again refuse to take credit, but his call for war against the harsh power-playing Archers clearly paid off. The Eagles did get dumped, bloodied, bruised at the start of the title series. But playing sharp, tough, ugly and bold would prove to be the best revenge.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Taniguchi Stops Absede in 5; Japan Goes 3 for 5 in Korea
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 13 May 2024COPA Summer Novice Age Group on May 18
Mon, 13 May 2024Paras Upsets Kyugochi in S. Korea; Kyugochi Mulls Retirement
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 12 May 2024PJ Williamson Leads Dallas Over OKC, 105-101; Boston Tops Cleveland Anew, Moves Ahead 2-1
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 12 May 2024Quezon City, Cavite advance to PCAP Quarter Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 12 May 2024Aktibo Dabawenyo Grassroots chess clinic 2 set May 22 & 25 at GMall
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 12 May 2024Perth Plus: Loma Claims Lightweight Title in Down Under Super Fight
Sun, 12 May 2024Vince Paras Secures Redemption in Rematch Against Former Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi
Sun, 12 May 2024LOMACHENKO DOMINATES, STOPS KAMBOSOS IN 11TH ROUND
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 12 May 2024GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. VASILIY LOMACHENKO TALE OF THE TAPE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 12 May 2024Masbate looms as boxing hub
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 12 May 2024Mexican Warriors Collide: Rafael Espinoza-Sergio Chirino Featherweight World Title Battle Set for June 21 at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on ESPN+
Sun, 12 May 2024Teen prodigy Jirah Floravie Cutiyog captures Imus Open rapid chess title
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 12 May 2024Amar wins Zugzwangers open blitz chessfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 12 May 2024ENNIS AND CROWLEY MEET AT PHILLY PRESSER AS TICKETS FLY FOR ‘BOOTS’’ HOMECOMING
Sat, 11 May 2024