Are you in the game?!

This must be the most frustrating and devastating defeat for the University of the East Red Warriors basketball team and for the UE community in general. After a flawless stint in the elimination round (14-0), the Red Warriors suffered back-to-back loses in the best of 3 finals against the Green Archers. The Archers snatched the UAAP season 70 crown via a 73-64 victory.

It's a heartbreaking moment for UE's head coach Dindo Pumaren, being beatin by his elder brother. "I won several championships in the past but it is bittersweet for me because I know now how it feels to beat your brother,” said Pumaren, also a Quezon City councilor. “If I can share half of our trophy, I can give it to UE because they also deserve it."

I think, the 21-day break for the Warriors wasn't healthy for the teams mentality and emotional status. While La Salle on the other hand, after squeeking past the best of 4, gained superb confidence going into the finals. The Warriors weren't able to overcome their fate in game 1 of the finals were they bowed to the Archers,63-64. The Warriors had 21 turnovers in the 2nd game compared to their 31 in game 1. But UE gave up 28 fouls, allowing the Archers to visit the line for 27/36 shots. La Salle only gave up 18 fouls the entire game, translated into 5/14 shooting from the free throw line. This only shows that the Warriors were unable to establish their inside game.

The scores:

DLSU (73) – Casio 17, Villanueva 14, Maierhofer 11, Tang 8, Co 6, Barua 6, Malabes 5, Cua 2, Mangahas 2, Walsham 2, Atkins 0, Ferdinand 0.

UE (64) – Borboran 12, Lee 12, Gregorio 11, Cañizares 8, Martinez 8, Arellano 5, Espiritu 5, Fampulme 3, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0, Llagas 0, Thiele 0.

Congrats to DLSU for grabbing the crown and congrats to UE for a good fight.

I'm not really into tennis. I've tried the sport once, and I must say it is not as easy as what you see on t.v. It requires strength, agility, and intelligence! So for me, these are the only good things in tennis.

Profile of Anna Kournikova

Nationality: Russia
Residence: Miami, Florida, USA
Birthdate: June 7, 1981
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)
Height: 5'8 1/4" (1.73m)
Weight: 123 lbs. (56 kg)
Plays: Right-handed, two-Handed

Profile of Maria Sharapova

Nationality: Russia
Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA
Birthdate: April 19, 1987
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)
Height: 6′2 (1.88 m)
Weight: 130 lbs. (59 kg)
Plays: Right-handed, Double-Hand Backhand

Agree?!?! damn, do I have to ask?

Who will win in this dog fight? Will the 33 year-old Barrera get the better of 29 year-old Pacquiao?

Pacquiao, as usual is throwned with controversies before his fight. One is regarding his training in Cebu instead of training fully in L.A. Pacquiao insisted to train in Cebu despite of Roach's resistence. Of course, during his training in Cebu there were a lot of distractions which even ignited Roach to react about the situation.

Of course being a Filipino, I am in favor of Pacman. I think he'll knock out Barrera in round 5. Beyond round 7, it will go to the scorecards which doesn't favor Pacquiao.

However, at this point, all praises for Pacquiao from Roach. Let's throw away the stat sheets and chitchats. The two warriors will state everything when the bell rings for round 1 of Sunday's one and only fight that matters.

It's RED vs GREEN in the UAAP Season 70 Senior's Basketball (men) Finals. Will the Red Warriors remain unbeaten for the entire season? Or will the Green Archers finally paint a stain on UE's flawless record?

Aside from this considerations, it is interesting to note that the finals will also be a battle between the Pumaren brothers, coach Dindo of UE and coach Franz of DLSU. I wonder how their family will deal with the match. hehehe Franz of course is a highly respected coach in UAAP and definitely no stranger to UAAP Finals. Experience wise, Franz has the edge. However, Dindo Pumaren at his 4th year of coaching UE is perhaps at the peak of his coaching career. More importantly, as he reaches his peak, the team grew-up with him and now, UE squad is at its peak. Roster wise, the UE owns the advantage. They have a more forbidable line-up especially in terms of depth in the bench. Despite that, you can never count out DLSU. La Salle is a team that strikes under pressure. Although noted as highly favored team, I think DLSU is at its best when playing as "underdogs."

 Like the ADMU-DLSU battle, the games will boil down to execution in the last seconds of the game. Defense and execution will be the name of the game. The men will shin over the boys. Expect the veterans to lead their respective teams.

 In terms of the front-line,  UE has the advantage. Simply because UE's big men namely, Borboran, Espiriti, Thiele, Llagas are very agile. Despite of their size, these men can run down the court for transition baskets. These big men also have the experience to play under pressure. On the other side, the front line of DLSU composed of Wallsham, Ferdinand, Co, Maierhoffer, is full of youth and inexperience. 

On the backcourt, I would give the edge to La Salle. With TY Tang, Villanueva and Casio leading the pack, DLSU will always have an explosive backcourt team-up. UE's Martinez and Arellano must play extra defense to stop the firepower of DLSU's trio.

There's nothing like college ball so better watch out for UAAP Finals showdown!