2012 UAAP: Game 1 Postscript

The 2012 regular season basically went as expected.  Ateneo finished the regular season in first place which didn't surprise anyone.  They were challenged a bit more and were far from dominant but they were still clearly the team to beat.  UST finished a solid second.  While this may have been a surprise compared to the pre-season predictions (DLSU, FEU, NU were more popular choices as Ateneo's hurdle to the Drive for Five), they have played consistently this season.  They handed Ateneo their first defeat in only the second game of the season, and basically played at a high level throughout the season.  The finals match up is very much appropriate, as UST is the only team this year that actually has a chance to beat Ateneo for the title.  Other teams can steal a win in the series, but UST has the ability to actually win 2 out of 3 games and consequently the series.

Game 1 of the finals measured up to expectations.  It was a close game, Ateneo winning by 5 at 83-78.  UST had its moments, including owning the first half and having their rally from 9 points down to take a one point lead midway in the 4th period.  Ateneo meanwhile had that 17-0 run to open the second half, and then their finishing kick at the end to put away the game. 

Key take aways for Ateneo:

• This season has made good use of Ateneo's depth in terms of having multiple players to count on.  Early in the season, Slaughter carried them.  Late in the regular season and in the semis, Buenafe and Ravena have stepped up when opponents learned to defend the big man.  And in the finals, Salva, who has been relatively quiet throughout the season, explodes to carry them in Game 1.
• The same depth that they displayed is also what they will miss the most next year, when they will only have Ravena and Buenafe to rely on for big numbers.
• Ravena and Buenafe stepping up and getting ready to take on the cudgels next year.  Ravena has taken over and carried the team in a couple of games.  Buenafe meanwhile has had more big games this year than any other year except perhaps his rookie year.
• Buenafe has proven that he is about the moment rather than statistics.  He has hit big three pointers at key moments of a number of games despite still remaining to be a marginal shooter percentage wise.  Nobody has been better at hitting the three at the crucial moments of the game. 
• Buenafe has also emerged as an underrated defensive player.  Same with his three point shooting, he has come up with key blocks and steals at crucial moments of the game.  He has also done this against key offensive players of the opposing teams.
• Another unsung hero for Ateneo in Game 1 was Juami Tiongson.  He triggered Ateneo's 17-0 run with a three early in the third, and then scored crucial baskets to keep UST at bay in the 4th.

For UST:

• Jarencio has proven to be one of the best coaches in the UAAP.  He can maximize what he has and get the most out of them.  I would have to say that he has played Ateneo evenly throughout the season even though Ateneo has the stronger lineup.
• Mariano is the x-factor for UST, just like Salva has been in the championship series this year and last year.  Mariano is one of their best offensive weapons and happens to play a style that Ateneo has difficulty defending. 
• Teng and Mariano will need to be the primary scorers and come up with big numbers.  Key to victory will be whether Fortuna and Ferrer can come up big to support them.  Abdul, while capable of big numbers, should not be expected to score so that whatever he comes up with would be a bonus.  His value on defense and on the boards is more critical than his offense.
• Unless the call came after time ran out, the refs should have allowed Teng to shoot the free throws.  Given that the lead was already an insurmountable 5 points, they should have just given the free throws to avoid any controversy.