UST...

I feel sorry for the losses that could have been wins.

But I don't know why your rookies insist on taking outside shots during the last few seconds when the reigning MVP is waiting for the ball in the shaded area. And I'm not only referring to today's game. I know they're great and they have the right to take those shots but they were really costly lapses in judgment.

Also, I have great respect for basketball coaches and Pido Jarencio's a great one. After all, he led you to a championship in 2006 against Ateneo. I was cheering for you that time because I was an Archers fan then. Plus, I saw how dedicated you were during that difficult climb to the finals and I know Coach Pido pushed and inspired you all the way. But I don't know why Coach Pido always seems angry. Though I'm not a player nor a UST fan, it's heartbreaking to see a talented team being screamed at constantly.

During your game against La Salle, you did well except Villanueva had lady luck on his team's side. Today, you were playing inspired basketball in the last half of the 4th. And you had more than lady luck, you seemed to have divine intervention even. At home, we love UE but we were cheering for you today. I genuinely felt sad for you.

Good luck in Season 72!

Good for the heart ♥

It's a game like the ADMU-UE match yesterday that make your heart feel extra happy.

I didn't witness an efficient team. Their stats all probably went down. But we all saw heart and that is the most breathtaking sight on any basketball court.

It's better to see Chris Tiu shooting his 1st 3-point shot in the 4th qtr to start the Eagles' run than him attaining his career high by almost perfecting his freethrows. It's better seeing Buenafe pass 3 defenders at a time when their top-scorer was being double teamed and their captain on the bench suffering from cramps than seeing him make an open 3-pointer in a game where not making it wouldn't even matter.

It's good for a fan like me to watch those types of games. It ironically, makes me more proud. It's the sort of game that I refer to even in my YM stat messages. It makes me shout at the top of my lungs even if I'm at home. It just puts a big smile on my face. That game yesterday cancelled out any stress I was feeling and made me feel really good.

OA? I don't think I'm alone. We were all talking about it in school. And believe me I don't think any game (other than the 1st against DLSU and the loss against FEU) have been talked about that much.

Being the fangirl that I am, I read what other people who know more about the sport and the team have to say. And after reading, I brim with more pride and it feels like there's no better college to be in than the Ateneo.

From Bleachers' Brew by Rick Olivares:

Inside the Press Room, while Norman Black was all smiles over the huge win, Tiu stretched his cramped leg and answered a few questions directed at him. “We never gave up. I think that’s this team’s character and what Coach preaches to us all the time.”

So how about that last trey?

“Yeah we practice that… sometimes. But I just threw it up.”

So Coach Leo, you’re right. It’s about heart but you’ve got to have faith too.

From Falling in Place by AR Samson

The beauty of the Ateneo-UE game needs no explanation. That’s why I went on and on about the statistical impact of wins and losses on the rankings. A come-from-behind win, down nine points and erasing the gap with triple triples, defines character and the refusal to give up, even if some of the faithful was tempted to head for the exits and having their faith shaken. The “Lazarus Effect” of rising from the dead in three minutes, rather than three days, makes believers of us all.

Much will be written about the frenzied last three minutes of regulation period and the even more frantic five minutes of overtime. A classic game is defined by the degree of uncertainty on its outcome until the last ten seconds.

From Blue and White spill red ink in OT by Myopic Eagle

And so in various games, versus different opponents, and during particular stretches of a match, The Bullet invariably noted that Blue Eagles take turns delivering. That as reliable in the clutch as Chris has been, as vastly improved as Rabeh is, and as reassuring as Eric’s game-breaking is this campaign and will be post-Tiu, there really isn’t a single go-to guy for rivals to key on. Even Nonoy can drop 16 markers on his defender, as he did head-to-head with NU’s Edwin Asoro in the first round. And Jai and Ryan have scored in double figures. So going into yesterday’s crucial match, Coach Dindo must’ve hoped that his Red Warriors would outrun, outrebound and outscore us. Well, Dindo did his homework alright … but not well enough. He couldn’t draw up a play against HEART.
...
Opponents are realizing (and grudgingly respecting?) that ours is not a pampered, pulpy team that caves in to intimidation and roughhousing. ... This squad of an elite school and with ample alumni backing can be as hardscrabble as we need to be, without stooping down to unsportsmanlike levels.
...
Yesterday, we saw Mr. Clutch in a continuum: the current being Chris and the future being Ryan. Youngsters Nico Salva, Justin Chua and Vince Burke witnessed and learned what heart, what prevailing against terrific adversity, is all about. Should the Lord graciously allow us to go all the way, we will look back on this game as having defined what this team is made of. So what if our league-leading averages in least turnovers, points in the paint, etc. drop several notches. We just shot up the altimeter of knowing how, and willing ourselves to WIN.
...
A sub-text to the leaden feet and poor hands on display yesterday: it’s the inescapable reality that our boys are in the thick of academic responsibilities. For instance, Rabeh just finished Philo orals the day before, and Kirk was facing the computer and rushing a paper just prior to the game. Like it or not, that’s a necessary, indeed priority distraction that comes with the territory of student-athlete. Pardon my saying so, but that’s a thicket that not too many of our opponents have to hack through.

//And as Ray2 said in her latest blog entry, I couldn't have said it better myself. :) I loved absolutely everything about that game. ♥

Blank | One Step At A Time

A lot of things are happening in school, orgs and acads - beautiful things really. And I can't help but feel that I'm not in the right disposition to make the most of these opportunities.

As a natural at worrying, my brain doesn't usually get any rest. Recently, I've been ending up blank quite often. And blank is not good at all. I prefer full than blank.

Don't get me wrong. I accomplish my work. It's just I feel confusingly blank.

I have to get my act together. I need time to pray and reflect. I really need a break! A real break!

While listening to the song Ray2 asked me to check out, I found another Jordin song, One Step at a time, with parts that seems appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adsWRTM9wFA&feature=related

"One Step At A Time"

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one
knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one
knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's the faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

UAAP Season 71 2nd round schedule

Edited blog post because I saw the mistakes in the sched. Imagine how much editing my planner will need. :(

//I realized I didn't blog about any of the round 1 games. So many things are happening so I haven't gotten in the disposition to blog. Lol. But I did get to watch 2 games live. :D The 1st against La Salle and the 2nd against UE. I love the feeling of singing the Song for Mary after the game. :) Go Ateneo! Alone on top after the 1st round! :)

UAAP Season 71
Men's Basketball Competition
2nd Round

August 7 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - NU vs UP
4 PM - DLSU vs UE

August 9 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - ADU vs UST
4 PM - FEU vs ADMU

August 10 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - UP vs DLSU
4 PM - UE vs NU

August 14 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - FEU vs ADU
4 PM - UST vs ADMU

August 16 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - DLSU vs NU
4 PM - UE vs UP

August 17 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - ADU vs ADMU
4 PM - UST vs FEU

August 21 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - UP vs ADU
4 PM - ADMU vs UE

August 23 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - NU vs UST
4 PM - FEU vs DLSU

August 24 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - ADMU vs UP
4 PM - ADU vs UE

August 28 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - NU vs FEU
4 PM - UST vs DLSU

August 30 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - DLSU vs ADU
4 PM - ADMU vs NU

August 31 - Philsports Arena
2 PM - UP vs FEU
4 PM - UE vs UST

September 4 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - ADU vs NU
4 PM - FEU vs UE

September 6 - Araneta Coliseum
2 PM - UP vs UST
4 PM - ADMU vs DLSU

September 7 - Cheerdance Competition