Whether you're rooting for UP or Ateneo, know that both teams will make adjustments to win the ultimate prize.
Maybe the Blue Eagles are the underdogs after all!
Kidding aside, the pulsating opener for the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament Finals featured a wildly entertaining pace, brilliant coaching, and tenacious defense. These elements were seen from both sides of Katipunan, but it was the Fighting Maroons who made the bigger plays down the stretch to get the 72-66 victory.
With one team looking to close things out and the other in survival mode, here are a few things to look forward to in Game 2.
If you’re chanting “One Big Fight!”
A better inside game
Ateneo got outrebounded, 39 to 45 in total, and 10 to 17 on offensive boards. Consequently, they were also outscored in the paint, 24 to 38. Count on Coach Tab to address this issue to limit UP’s second chance points, transition scoring, and to kickstart their own fastbreak game—which was basically non-existent in Game 1. Expect Ange Kouame, who shot 3-of-8 on 2-point attempts, along with Dave Ildefonso, who hit only 1-of-5 from the inside, to finish at the rim way better on Wednesday.
Dave’s comeback game
Speaking of Dave Ildefonso, he is ADMU's go-to-guy when it comes to broken plays. When the offensive sets don’t work, the ball finds its way into Ildefonso’s hands and it’s on him to create something out of nothing. Finishing with only 10 points on a 3-for-12 clip is just not going to cut it. However, we believe Dave has the talent and the experience to come up with a redemption performance.
Kai Ballungay making his presence felt
Zav Lucero was the player of the game in the finals’ curtain-raiser with a stat line of 14 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. His supposed counterpart, Kai Ballungay, did not score a bucket while grabbing a pitiful 2 boards. Possessing similar skills and athletic gifts, the difference between the two was the energy and mental preparedness in a Finals setting. If you’re cheering for Ateneo, you better wish a Kai Ballungay bounceback game into existence.
If you’re yelling “UP Fight!”
More pressure on the opposing ball handlers
Forthsky Padrigao was the Blue Eagles’ leading scorer, but he was unable to finish the game due to cramps, per multiple reports. One can’t help but think that it was UP’s relentless ball pressure that wore the Ateneo point guard out. Bank on Harold Alarcon and company to keep on daring the officials to blow the whistle on their ultra-aggressive defense.
Better games from Malick and Carl
Presumptive MVP Malick Diouf looked ordinary in the Finals so far. Hounded by foul trouble, he posted a quiet 9 points and 10 rebounds. In his next outing, Diouf should be able to defend better without fouling, which would likely lead to a night more fitting for an MVP. As for Carl Tamayo, he had 7 points off the bench in only 17 minutes. Does this mean he’s still nursing that ankle sprain from the Final Four? Whatever it is, he’s got two days to rest.
Twice the effort
With the chance to repeat right in front of their eyes, the Fighting Maroons might treat Game 2 as a do-or-die encounter for them as well. In the early goings, we will likely see UP double up the energy on their swarming defense. And to finish Ateneo off, the defending champs will try to match or even raise the intensity and effort level that got them a 1-0 lead in this series.
Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Finals takes place on December 14, Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
(GM)