The waiting game plus UAAP roundup

Ok, I got that out of the way..

Just finished the examination for residency applicants. 100 item exam, 40 pts generalities, 60 pts specialty. It was a real hoot answering questions about the field I was interested in, but it also made me realize how little stock knowledge of Neurology and Psychiatry I had. Oh well, I guess that's why you go into training right? =D I just hope I didn't mess up that exam TOO much, or else I'd be out of a job even before I started.. =P

I'm really excited about residency. Although training at UST has it's famous downsides (hehe), I'm still looking foward to doing the stuff I really want to get into, and not be bothered by those other disciplines that I didn't really want to go into.

Now for the Sports Segment..

UST suffered a heartbreaking loss yesterday against the De La Salle Green Archers in what could have been an overtime game in the making. A lucky putback by rookie Maui Villanueva off an LA Revilla miss withe 0.2 seconds of game time remaining sealed the victory for the Archers who got away with a score of 81-79. Sadly, this loss meant that the 2006 Champion UST Growling Tigers have seen their hopes of making the Final Four dashed as they drop to a 5-7 win-loss card with only 2 games remaining for the season.

I've always wanted to do a UAAP team-by-team analysis, so here goes:

• Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles

Riding on the stellar performance of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, arguably the most dominant big man in the UAAP today, the Eagles are sitting atop the standings with a commanding 11-1 record. With their only loss coming from a first round shocker against the FEU Tamaraws, the Katipunan-based squad is poised to take it all as we begin the later stages of the tournament. With Chris Tiu and Al-Hussaini, two of the league's leading scorers in their roster and a host of , the Ateneo juggernaut rumbles forward towards what seems to be an inevitable finals appearance.

• Far Eastern University Tamaraws

With the return of their injured leader, Mac Baracael, the Tamaraws are riding an emotional high closing out the elimination round of the tournament. Fresh from their victory over the vaunted DLSU Green Archers, the Tams are clicking on all cylinders towards their first Final Four appearance in the last 3(?) years. Under the watchful eye of coach Glen Capacio, the Tams are presently tied in second place with DLSU with two games remaining against the struggling UP Fighting Maroons and the UE Red Warriors. Armed with one of the deepest benches in the league, all eyes will be on FEU as they attempt to solidify their hold on second place and hopefully march into the Final Four with a twice to beat advantage.

• De La Salle Green Archers

Fresh from their nailbiting victory over the UST Growling Tigers, the Archers are neck-and neck with FEU in their pursuit of the elusive number 2 spot in the final four, with Ateneo already having a virtual lock on first place. Despite a rookie-laden lineup, coach Franz Pumaren's charges have shown time and again why they were the champions of the previous season. Getting stellar numbers from team captain Jayvee Casio, steady veterans Peajay Barua, Rico Maierhofer, and even bonus minutes from rookie surprises LA Revilla and Maui Villanueva, the Archers are ready to make a serious run to defend their championship.

• University of the East Red Warriors

Rounding up the top 4 on the present standings, coach Dindo Pumaren's Red Warriors are showing a lack of consistency, especially when compared to their sweep of the eliminations last season. In order to solidify their place in the semifinals, every game is a must-win for the hard-pressed squad from Recto, including a probable deciding match against the desperate UST Growling Tigers. Using a full court press similar to what La Salle executes so well, the Warriors' defense has proven time and again the dictum that "defense is the best offense". Boasting one of the most athletic frontlines in the league composed of Hans Thiele, Elmer Espiritu, and Pari Llagas, and supported by the steady backcourt leadership of James Martinez and prolific scorer Marcy Arellano, UE is still very much dangerously in the hunt for the title.

• University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers

With a heartbreaking buzzerbeater loss to DLSU, the Tigers are staring elimination in the face. Caught in a situation where their fate lies in the outcomes of games of other teams, coach Pido Jarecio's stalwarts must win their last 2 remaining games while at the same time hope that the UE Red Warriors drop their assignments in order for the Tigers to have a chance to break into the Final Four. Despite the heroics of reigning MVP Jervy Cruz day in and day out, the Tigers have found it dfficult to get the all important wins against the stronger teams, especially during tight endgame situations. UST is a fairly young team, with 7 rookies in the rotation. However, the forthcoming graduation of Tiger veterans Japs Cuan and Dylan Ababou would leave a large void which would prove difficult to fill indeed.

The Growling Tigers need to find their range from beyond the arc. If the established shooters like Francis Allera and Kasim Mirza would make those long threes just like their 2006 championship run, combined with Jervy Cruz's regular monster performance in the paint, UST would prove do be a really difficult team to defend. It's just unfortunate that Cuan never developed an outside shot which would have greatly helped in extending the opposing teams' defense. This could have freed up the middle for more high-percentage shots taken much closer to the basket.

It's unfortunate that UST started the season on a sour note. Key personnel were nursing injuries acquied before the start of the season, and floor leader Japs Cuan was out for about 4 games due to a knee injury which has affected his game ever since. The rookies have a lot of growing up to do if team Espana intends on making the final four in season 72.

I'm sorry about the obvious bias. But then again, TOMASINO AKO!! MAY PRIDE! MAY PUSO! AT PALABAN! Go USTe!!!

• University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
  

After an energizing opening-day win which snapped a 14(?)-game losing streak, the Fighting Maroons seemed to have lost steam and can only sit and watch as teams charge past them in heartbreaking blowout losses. A talented but undersized lineup boasting high-caliber players like Magi Sison, Mike Gamboa, and former Xavier standout Woody Co has ptoven to be inadequate in the face of tougher opponents in this highly competitive league. With the lack of offense seen from UP, one can't help but wonder why former rookie hotshot scorer Migs De Asis is stuck on the bench and is hardly ever used. It is the opinion of this writer that better personnel shuffling by rookie coach Aboy Castro would have proven to be of great benefit to the struggling team of the State university.

• National University Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have had another bad season, with endgame problems haunting them every step of the way. A surprise victory over the highly-touted FEU Tamaraws during their last game of the first round gave coach Manny Dandan's boys something to look forward to. Floor leader Jonathan Jahnke with agile high-scoring big men Edwin Asoro and Raymond Aguilar found it difficult to close games down the stretch, and wound up getting blown out in the endgame on a number of occasions. As a team, NU is still apparently groping for form. It has a pretty solid lineup which has the capability to really win games, but for some reason, they just frustratingly come up short.

Whew! There! I know it isn't perfect, but I gave it my best shot. Hehe

I'm sorry to admit the fact that most of my data is sorely lacking. I guess I haven't watched enough games this season, due to the rigid(?) review for the boards I put myself through. Its really tough being an avid UAAP fan to purposely avoid watching the games, even though the sacrifice is to serve some higher purpose..

I'll try to give a more in-depth analysis of some teams in particular interest to me at another time.