Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Ateneo vs UE (Round 2)

The Ateneo vs UE game (Round 2) was almost a week ago yet it still remains very fresh in my memory. I have to admit that it was a game that was 'stolen' from them. From the start of the game until the last 4 minutes of the game, we struggled and played horribly on offense! I have to admit that our defense was pretty steady limiting them to only 50 points after regulation. But our offense was really ugly, missing point blank undergoal stabs and layups, missing wide-open 3-pointers, turnovers, etc. This is precisely why UE played mostly zone throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters. Until the last 4 minute mark, luckily, our shots started to fall one after the other.

A lot of people have been congratulating me for the big 3-pointer that forced overtime. But i have to admit that it was divine intervention. It was clearly a broken down play in that last 35 seconds: i fumbled the ball, got it back, dribbled once, got stuck, gave it to Rabeh, who gave it to Nonoy, who gave it back to me, Rabeh gave me a ball screen, i got free momentarily, took an up-fake, and the defender finally jumped, and i was able to get my shot up. It felt good once i released it and i knew it had a very good chance of going in... and it did! 50-50 all. I say it was divine intervention because we were in a similar situation against FEU in the first round where we were down by 2 points i think and i took an up-fake, got Barocca up in the air then fired the 3 but it was way off to the right. I know i could have easily made that shot but for some reason it was a poor release! God works in mysterious ways sometimes, you just have to keep trying! You win some, you lose some.

Going back to the UE game, overtime belonged to my teammates! They showed that they have the composure in close games and also the character to fight til the very end. I remember I got cramps in the last 1 and a half minutes in overtime, Elmer Espiritu just made a foul-counted put back to extend their lead to 3. Again thank God he missed his bonus free throw! Then comes Ryan Buenafe who attacks the basket and gets fouled for two free throws. Keeping his composure, he makes the first but misses the 2nd. Nonoy Baclao had the presence of mind to save that ball and tap it out off a UE player to regain possession. Rabeh gets fouled and knocks down two clutch free throws to tie the game. Then, a big time defensive stop. On the other end, we go to Ryan at the top of the key again to go one-on-one with his defender and former teammate Paul Lee. This time he drives to his left, meets to of the big men of UE, takes a bump, hangs in mid-air and scoops the ball beneath the outstretched arms of the 6'2 Espiritu and 6'5 Thiele, and the ball trickles in! Ateneo up by 2. Another crucial defensive stop on the other end and the rebound was secured by Nonoy Baclao who also hit 2 clutch free throws despite shooting only 60% from the line to seal the game.

It was a game that UE could have easily put away but we were able to steal from them. One free throw could have done it all for them, or even just one defensive stop, or one of those jumpers that rattled in and out again. That's why I believe in fate! I admit we played horrible but still managed to stay focused and fight until the end. That's a very positive sign for us. Hopefully a bright sign towards the clearer goal that's ahead of us!

42 comments:

ELAINE MONTERO said...

yeah! I watched the game and I must admit...it was one great fight! ADMU really struggled for that win. The game was very tight and exciting to watch! Hope you can pull off another play just like that! Good luck on the DLSU-ADMU game! ganbatte kudasai! :)

bernah said...

hai kuya chris!
why so gwapo!?
hehe..
gudluck poh kuya!!
one big fight!
:)

Anonymous said...

Yey you updated! :D

Congratulations on the win over UE and UP! Good luck on the NU game this Saturday! Sana you and your teammates won't relax in the game and treat them like "They're NU lang"! Remember last year? :)

I listened to Magic this morning! I think I know why you weren't guessing license plates for the car. You already have a Volvo no? :))

God bless and stay safe. :D

nurse jane said...

that was a tiring game!
(both physical and emotional...)
me and my friends were praying so hard that time...
Fly higher, eagles!...=)
any trivia?...haha!
btw, we tuned-in to the radio a while ago...
I really had fun listening!...^o~
please say my "Hi" to DJ Jai..hehe!

Anonymous said...

Hi chris! vey nice play in UAAP. I didn't actually watch the your previous fight but I've watch your play against UP. It was a good fight indeed. Anyway, I'm going to watch your last play with dslu. hehe! EAGLES FLY HIGH! -Gretz

Unknown said...

i really admire for never taking credit on what you are able to share your games...

bitter me said...

for the first time....my heart was pounding badly...grabe...super kinabahan ako...while i watching...i was praying silently...

THANK GOD ATENEO WON...

anyway...who cares if the score was low...the important thing is you WON...

go ateneo...

ONE BIG FIGHT...

xoxo,
MS ISKA with a heart of an atenista

Anonymous said...

i really thought that we'll be getting our 2nd loss for the season. divine intervention or not, the team put up a good fight. good luck on the last 2 games esp. the big one on sept 6. also, don't be careless on aug 30, we don't want a repeat of last year's game vs nu. no pressue! :) well, i think the team is more mature now since we have some veteran rookies on board. Go Ateneo, OBF!

Anonymous said...

hi chris!
congratulations! every game of the ateneo team is really worth watching & you all deserve to win especially this season (since it's your last :( ) anyway, all of you guys are great and while watching the game, my friend and I were crying so hard. haha! we almost prayed the rosary :P

God bless & more powers!

Anonymous said...

Kudos to you and the team for staying focused and determined enough to pull of the win. I guess this was even sweeter since it was so hard fought. Keep playing tough...

Anonymous said...

i feel so sad i wasn't able to watch the ame... i'm sure it was a nerve-wrecking fight between the two team.. well, congratulations Blue Eagles!!!

You're sure to the finals...
I'll kepp on praying for safe games always...

take care...
Jimly!
--dianne

Angelle :) said...

Hi Chris!

that was a really good game. i swear! kinakabahan na nga ako nung last minute kasi ue was leading. but you were really a hero! your 3 pointer was the highlight of the game! wow. CONGRATS!

GO ATENEO! ONE BIG FIGHT! :)

--angelle

Anonymous said...

that u.e game was indeed a thriller! whew! you saved the day for the eagles & for all your supporters. congratulations! :)
it's really nice seeing two new posts from you, yehey! it was well worth the wait.. patience pays off.. :D
good luck on saturday for the game vs n.u. & on sept.6 vs your arch rivals. break a leg! ΓΌ
one big fight! :)

pau-pau said...

..yEah..
..i prAyed tHat yOU win oVer UE...anD it wAS answErd unfoRtuNAteLy...i couLDnt wAtCh tHAt gAme beCause of mY mOm...bUt im reaLLy looKing forwArd on yoUr game vs. DLSU...aND i hOpe yOU win...


..again gO aTEneo...
...oNe bIg fiGht..

Anonymous said...

As a self-confessed UAAP addict, I am ashamed to say that I didn't get to watch this game. I felt awful about it too, especially when I found out (the next day through the newspaper) that it was a highly exciting one. Although, I think it must've been nervewrecking for you and your team while playing it!

Congrats on winning! I hope you guys go all the way and win the finals!!

God bless you, Chris!

Anonymous said...

u won because of luck!!!

Anonymous said...

you always manage to "steal" the game from UE! Just like the Nike Summer League championships! I will never forget your shot! Great game!:)

Anonymous said...

i wasn't able to watch this game because we were dismissed by our CAT moderator at around 5:00. considering the distance of our house from the school, i wouldn't make it on time. But since my sister is also an ateneo fan and she likes buenafe a lot, she told me everything (from the first quarter up to the last). i blurted out that too bad i wasn't able to watch that intense game. haha.

anyways, you guys did a really great job!

i just noticed the time when you posted this entry. haha. past 12? thanks for the time, captain! you never fail to update your fans despite of your hectic sched.

take care!

Anonymous said...

i think that was more exciting than your game against la salle.

and yeah, i just can't stop thinking how you were able to make those miraculous shots. that was almost unbelievable..but man, it really did make its way straight to the net! i mean, that's not pure talent...and you're right. that is divine intervention :)

i guess, it helps a lot when people pray collectively not just for a win but also for a decent play.

good luck on your remaining games.
play hard, pray harder :)

ONE BIG FIGHT!
+AMDG+

ainan said...

Avisala! Chris, It was my first time to watched live and catched it at the big dome, i was happy when i stepped out of the dome, because you guys gave me a best game, it was all worth it, the thrill and all the trembles you gave us. I must give credit for Al Hussaini because his one reason why the score kept boosting aside from other two players, unfortunately i couldn't recall their names. That three-point shot was the major turning point why the score tied, it was 19 seconds when you made that shot and i thought that time that Its gonna be UE's moment, but miracles do happen. Again, it was one Hallmark of my life seeing you for the first time, in person, and i was bewildered, you're such an enticing view.Goodluck to your remaining games, i will watch again."KUDOS".

Nette said...

..kuya Chris..pinaalala pa..

..kulang na lang mabali namin yun bakal sa araneta!..hehe!..

..congrats!..

dollyxzh said...

oh a post against UE..
Godbless on your game this saturday.. =]
Aja! Aja!

♥dollyxzh

glaiza said...

it is one of the greatest game i've seen... both team gave their best but in the end its ateneo's fate, teamwork and strength that leads to victory. Well your last 3 point shot was the best... In fairness gumagaling kayo sa 3 point shooting. Maybe its really your time ... Pana-panahon yan di ba. Gud luck sa game nyo with la Salle. Maasahan tlga c nonoy baclao and ryan buena fe. Pakisabi ky Kua JAI REYES GALINGAN NYA CHICHEER KOH XA NG bongang bonga gud luck kaya nyo yan
parang ripleys lang yan di ba UNBELIEVABLE.... Believe it... hehehe infairness improving ang hosting skills mo ....
God Bless

Anonymous said...

i was really thankful that you won this game captain! i would like to congatulate you for that 3 point shot you delivered though i knew a lot of people had congratulated you as you had stated on your entry. haha. :) goodluck again on your next game!

Anonymous said...

It was really a tough game! So happy that you won.

Goodluck on your upcoming games..

GO BLUE EAGLES! OBF! ^_^

Anonymous said...

At least, you and your team learn from it and it gives you new experience =)

cr!s said...

the last seconds of 4th qrt against UE was really a heart-stopping moment for me.. well done Chris!! May God Bless the team more wins.. and you more three/s..!! ^__^

Anonymous said...

haha. it really was a stolen game. it was a "slap-in-the-face" loss for UE. Just like how you won in the Nike Basketball League this year and how you won a game in the finals against UST 2 years ago. I mean, you guys are so good at it. Thank goodness you have very good defensive play this year.

Anyway, a win is a win so keep on doing it.

I'm keeping my hopes up for sept 6. And oh, my sister's coming all the way from Australia to watch the game!

Anonymous said...

congratulations :)

that was a good game..
you did great -as always :)

take care!

Anonymous said...

congratulations mr. clutch!!! i so hate the fact that i haven't watched this game! i chose to attend my class! =) i promised not to miss a game but well.. anyway, the one time i cut class to watch your game, you lost! yeah, that solitary loss! so now, as long as you win, i don't care if i missed the game! (cause deep down, i am hoping that you'll win the championship and that ateneo will sell season 71 dvds! =D) just like in 2002! heheh.. i'm so happy you made your crucial 3 again! it's been a while.. i missed it! kudos to rabeh for being so consistent! g-rabeh sya!!=)

best of luck and god bless on your games against NU and DLSU!!

ONE BIG FIGHT!!!
xoxo..

Henna Rose said...

whew! 2 new post! uhmm.. yeah, i agree with the fact that ateneo stealed the game from UE..x)) it was really a tough fight! it was our test then, but i really insist to watch it (even my mom will scold me!)anyway, i'm very nervous before the overtime was given since UE was still leading with 3 points, but then you really saved the game; you had made that 3 point shot at about 13.6 sec. left, then i felt quite relieved. and then i was so grateful admu won the game again. but i was quite afraid because you got cramps again. you really have sensitive legs, eh? :)) hope you'd be victorious this season 'cause we all know that you will leave UAAP.. UHH! HOPE WE COULD SEE YOUR BROTHER, CHARLES next season.
hehe:)) go ADMU. you really deserve to e in that position with 1 lose.

Anonymous said...

hi chris.. congrats chris..i watched the game against ateneo vs ue.. it was definitely a close ball games against ue coz overtime and winning game for ADMU.. it was very exciting and tight game...I really enjoyed the game most especially the three points shoot of yours.. I am looking forward to your next game most especially the ADMU-DLSU.. Good luck and I'll always pray to your next game Chris and all the way to the finals!

ATENEO ONE BIG FIGHT!!! we are here to support you all the way from zambo city..

reneelyn:)

stay safe always..:)

Anonymous said...

congrats in your game against UE..
..nice shot!hehe.. you are so great..

..nice job again for you, captain..:))

..goodluck in your upcoming games!!!
..take care always!!godbless!!

one big fight!!:))

reneelyn said...

hi chris.. i watched the game last thursday agains ue, it was totally a great game and a great win for the ADMU..It was really a great performance for you most especially your crucial shoot, I was so amaze of your three points shoot..I'm looking forward for your next game most especially ADMU-DLSU..I'm praying and hoping for the win in every ball game...Hope to see in the finals, Good luck chris and I will continue to support all the way..

ATENEO ONE BIG FIGHT and FLY HIGH EAGLES!!

be safe always:)

reneelyn

Anonymous said...

Yay! At last, you've blogged already about the UE game. :D I love you guys. :"> Haha! Hope Ateneo wins next September 6 against La Salle. UST should've won kanina na! :|:)) Anyway, more power. I'mma buy your stuff in Adidas. :D LOVE YOU! :D

miel rosalinas said...

at last you bloged it!!

i've been wating for this..

I watched that game and you guys really kept me holding my breath up to overtime! Honestly, I was about to lose hope though I stayed praying inside that you'll made it. And whoooh!! It was answered! My friends and I were jumping and cheering hard. Too bad you're the only one that i missed after the game..Hope to catch you up this saturday at the ULTRA.. I have something for you eh..

kip safe Mr. Tiu..Godspeed!

miel

psixteen said...

good luck on the remaining games...and u guys better be ready cos theres a pretty good chance youll be facing them for the semis. ;)

as for me, twas a chris.ryan.nonoy that won the game. but kudos to the whole team for the unselfish plays.

=,bianca59,= said...

++>>nihaoma??

++>>tomorrow's the day of the game of your team and NU right??(tma ba sentence ko??)

++>>i'll pray for your win kuya chris!!(n_n) gusto ko nga pong manood ng game nyo bkas eh kso sa phil.sports po kayo eh..=(

++>>i really want to watch your games,,kahit 1 time lang pde na ngah po sakin eh..

++>>i'm glad that u posted this game (ADMU vs UE) i like this game very much po kc..tlgng sobrng higpit ng laban nyo against UE..i like it so much!!=)

++>>musta ka nMn po kuya??are you still studying??nd bakit ayaw nyo po pumasok ng acting??can i please know why??kung ok lng po senyo,,

++>>hope i can meet u in person po..^_^

++>>and i also hope po na sana sagutin nyo po ung mgah tanung ko senyo d2,,i mean ung sagutin nyo po talaga,,ung magsesend po kayo sakin ng answers nyo on my email address..(if that's possible i mean..alam ko po naman kc na u're not interested in making friends here..d po ba??peo kung talagang Gagawin nyo un!!AY SUS!!nde nyo lang po alam kung gno po me magiging masaya!!^_^)

++>>i really wish na makapanood ako ng game nyo before UAAP ends..kc sobrang malulungkot po me pag nde,,matagal pa po kc ung next year eh..heHE,,=D

++>>cge po,,until here na lang po ah..i promise to post a comment on your blog every time na magiinternet ako..i promise u dat kuya!!

++>>sana po talaga possible na maging friends tau kuya Chris..hope mag-email kayo sa email address ko..(cherryblossom059@gmail.com)[talagang binigay eh no,,HAHA]

++>>geh po,,ingatzz po kayo palge!!God bless you and your whole family!!Good luck on everything po!!Ganbatte!!JIA YOU!!A JA!!(n_n)

++>>(P.S good work on 'Pinoy Records' and 'Ripley's Believe It or Not'.keep up the good work and more power!!)

Helene said...

now for the past comments that i shared with you guys, i must say, DEFENSE has always been my concern and I know, uv done pretty excellent during that UE game.
as far as i could remember, Ryan Gregorio once said that a team that has a better defense will always have a greater chance of winning because offense is always a given thought.But to stop them from making those points is another thing.
And it worked not just to you guys but to other teams as well (FEU during the time of coy banal, SA vs CLeveland last yr, and many more).Keep on improving.I am betting my free days on you...(hahaha silly).

biancaloyola said...

hey i'm looking forward to your gane this day against nu bulldogs right? then next saturday will be against la salle, hope to win this game of yours, as a gift na rin coz it will be my birthday the ext saturday.. hope you win and win this season, bring back the pride...


..
bianx

Anonymous said...

That game was really a heartache for UE. Kuddos for your so called "Divine Intervention Shot"..... but you also have to give them credit.. they really worked hard

Anonymous said...

hey kuya... i really don't know if you've noticed my comment...haha so drama...i dropped a comment on your article 'bout the bonfire...hmmmm... so many people loves you..especially Him...you're so famous...hmmmmm...nothing.. i really looked for the article which has less comments for you to be able to read this.. (hehe) by the way...i want to congratulate you for a job well done :))...i knew you will do good...i really hope to see you one of these days...


-ishie [one of the millions of people who loves you]