Friday, October 9, 2009

Blue Eagles win it BACK 2 BACK

I was kinda nervous that morning before the game because I knew that UE was a tough team that plays with a lot of energy and emotion. Anything could have happened! Once UE gets their rhythm going, they're very very difficult to contain.

Ateneo did everything right in game 3 to clinch the championship convincingly! They proved that they are the best team in the UAAP and probably in the entire collegiate level in the Philippines. Game 2 was just a disaster where the Blue Eagles fell into the trap of UE's 2-3 zone defense. They attempted too many 3-pointers and never got it going. Eventually, they lost the confidence shooting from the outside. UE on the other hand, was on fire. They started connecting on their outside shots and that got them on a roll.

In game 3, everybody knew that UE would play the same zone press, then fall back to a 2-3 zone defense. Coach Norman and the rest of the coaching staff did such a great job making the necessary adjustments. First, they attacked UE on the fast break and secondary break on every opportunity. They were quick on the outlet passes and they were going hard to the basket against Espiritu and Llagas. They didn't settle for too many 3 point shots. They were patient moving the ball around and hitting Rabeh inside for a higher percentage shot. And lastly, their defense was suffocating! Nonoy was holding the fort as usual, and everybody else did their part. From the start of the game, i could tell that Rabeh didn't care about the stats, he just wanted to win it. You could see it in his body language.

Jai Reyes played a great all around game. His dishes to Rabeh and timely 3 point shots broke the game open, not to mention the leadership. Ryan Buenafe, Kirk Long, Nico Salva, Bacon Austria, Eman Monfort all stepped up as well on both ends of the floor. Eric Salamat finally came out to play, not necessarily scoring points, but breaking down the UE defense and making important plays.

I would have loved to be part of this back-to-back team. Victory is always sweet but we should recognize the dedication and effort but in by each individual, player, coaching staff, management, utility, etc. It has been a great basketball season for Ateneo seniors and juniors as well. We hope that the other Ateneo athletes can bring home the crown as well. Good luck to you guys and more power!

In the meantime, it's time to celebrate! Congratulations to the BLUE EAGLES! But let's also not forget our brothers and sisters in Northern Luzon who are in great danger and suffering because of typhoon Pepeng. Let's pray for them and do what we can to help them out! One Big Fight!

Chris

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

congrats to you and to your team...kip safe!


cess28

Bangles said...

congrats to your back-to-back championships chris...hope to see playing in PBA..
and i really love reading your blog entries pla..

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris,

CONGRATS to the BLUE EAGLES!Ü

the team deserves to win the back-to-back..Ü

they really played sooo well and their motivation can be seen all throughout the game!Ü

things could have been more exciting if you were part still part of the team..Ü

i miss seeing you play for the BLUE EAGLES wearing the ADMU BLUE EAGLES jersey with the #17.. hehe..Ü

anyway, thanks for the updates and goodluck to your career..Ü

AMDG!Ü

GOD bless!Ü

¤rais!Ü

myv said...

congrats to the blue eagles and blue eaglets!:) its too early to say but I'm hoping for a grand slam..:)

nix14 said...

well, congratulations to the BLUE EAGLES and the BLUE EAGLETS! this back-to-back is a great gift for the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Ateneo :)

i would like to ask also if people from other schools are allowed to attend the bonfire tomorrow? thanks :D

kalliepepper said...

yay! i wasn't able to watch the game (even on tv) as i was at work..but i was keeping track of it through Twitter! i was following TJ Manotoc (and you of course). i can't help shouting and laughing out loud by 5:55pm, as i knew that the title is back to ADMU! game 2 made me cry as i was hoping to watch ADMU win it, but game 3 just made me soooo happy!

congrats to all of the Blue Eagles! and of course, the Eaglets! looking forward to next season!

oh yeah...any idea who would be next year's captain? this is Jai's last year right? hope you could answer.. :)

fence sitter said...

It was nice of you to really support your school/team.

One Big Fight!

See you at the bonfire!

p.s. It is really quite sad that the country had three typhoons in less than a month.

Lhen7 said...

Congratulations to all the Ateneans for winning back to back championship title. ^_^

The Eagles really showed up last Thursday with one goal in mind, to win the championship. They proved that defense is always the best offense. Most of all great teamwork, as always. I did not expect UE (my team ^_^), to play that bad in game 3. Bumalik na naman yung "Pagkakanya-kanya" nila. It's really sad for us UEnians to watch our team losing. We've been waiting for this, super tagal na. Well that's basketball, may nananalo, may natatalo. We have to accept our defeat, and move forward... Season 72 is not "again" our season, not yet our time . I'm still proud of my team, 2nd place... ok na ok na yun... They did their best especially Elmer Espiritu. Natalo man kami, ang importante lumaban kami hanggang sa huli. ^_^

Congrats again to Ateneo, both the juniors and seniors team... Ang galing nyo talaga. Iba talaga ang lakas ng defending Champs.

Yeah Let's not forget to pray for the victims of Pepeng.
God Bless our country.

I really admire the Ateneans. Kahit na it's time to celebrate hindi pa rin kayo nakakalimot tumulong. Mabuhay kayo...

Thanks Chris!

angel 17 ^-^ ♥ said...

Congrats to the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Blue Eaglets! Double back to back championships! I wish you were part of that team.. I miss seeing you play with them.. but i know you're proud they were able to repeat last year's feat!

See you at the Bonfire!
One Big Fight!
AMDG!

arrie said...

wow!Congratulations to the Blue Eagles!Ateneo's dynasty remains undefeated!great team and players!One Big Fight! =D

Anonymous said...

hi chris! this is rhea! congrats to admu for winning back to back! and also for rp gilas! hehe! i watched the game live last monday and i was so amazed by your team especially to giles and japeth! grabe! cant wait to see yah on pba ds sunday! :)

send ka agen ng mms muh thru fanatxt wah! hehe!

God Bless Chris! :)

Anonymous said...

and by the way, bonfire mamaya davah! hope i can come! i will try :) chao for now :)

RIC ARLOS said...

it's time to celebrate for the back 2 back championships of the blue eagles. bonfire celebration later, and i wish i could attend it later...

Anonymous said...

congratulations blue eagles...
looking forward for a 3peat..
hopefully in God's grace=)

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

baby28 said...

Congrats to the Blue Eagles!!:D

But I feel sad that I didn't get to see the last game of the UAAP finals.:((

joem17 said...

hello...joem17 here,,, CONGRATS,,,ATENEO BLUE EAGLES,,, this season has it all, intense,changes,adjustments,energy,and especially leadership... i can say U.E. did they job very well, before the sudden death match, i pray for the blue eagles to win this game, that thursday was so sad,, cause i have my class, well after that long day my classmate told me ATENEO won,,, i merely jump<< cause of happiness,,, and pray again to GOD for giving the opportunity to EAGLES... even i didn"t have the chance to watched the game i"m very thankful cause my favorite team did won,, hope to watch it live ,,, PLEASE mr,chris tiu give me some comment,,,, thanks also for helping those people affected by the tropical typhoon,,, AGAIN,, thank you,,, ATENEO students for welcoming those volunters,, even were from other school we fell very glad...

joem17 said...

hi joem17 here,,,, again congrats to ATENEO BLUE EAGLES,,, i want to take this opportunity writing comment in your"e blog to tell everybody even your"e just a kid, girl or guy. even your"e just a simple individual.. or a student, ANYONE CAN HELP. helping is not 1time for good,,, it's a continous process,,, even the things we take for granted in our house make this a GIFT for others,,,,, and especially PRAY,,, thanks,,,,,,

cutie18 said...

congratneo blue eagles!
i hope that they will still be the champion on the next uaap seasons.

i really admire you chris.
you are so concerned with the filipino citizens.
keep it up!

and i hope you will come back to naga!=)

Unknown said...

see you later chris

karen F said...

im very happy tala na nanalo ateneo. when UE won game 2 talagang nag worry ako. i got some txts from my highschool friends na mga supporters ng UE. sabi nila matatalo na daw ateneo ko. inis na inis talaga. sabi ko hindi pa tapos ang laban. i also added na nadadaan sa prayer yan. that's why nung gabing yun i continued praying for the blue eagles. even on the day of game 3, pinilit ko talaga dumaan sa araneta kahit pagod na pagod ako galing duty.wala naman kasi ako chance na makanood ng live kaya yun nagpray nalang ako habang naglalakad at habang nakikita ko yung mga taong nakablue. and then pagdating ko sa house brownout!!grabeh na depress talaga ako.pray ulit ako, mayamaya umilaw..yess!!

iba talaga nagagawa ng prayer noh! at si God sobrang bait.

congrats ulit sa lahat ng supporters ng ateneo. sana nxt year ulit.

Godbless!!

Anonymous said...

hey congrats to ateneo blue eagles kahit na im from ue warriors its ok .. bawi nlang next time.. deserving naman kayong manal ah.. ayun more power.. congrats again..
nakita kait don sa arante and im happy to see you.. sana maulet.. yung medyo malapit sana hehehe...
take care always...

ian laput said...

Congrats to the team...i'm happy despite having to hear that senseless cheer from UE crowd..."IYAKIN!" well, it backfired on them in the end. Eagles may have cried but it was because of the rare feat of having a back to back championship title..UE even danced to I GOT THE FEELING ...well, it was in vain as Ateneo ended celebrating a good night...AMDG.

jasmine said...

hello kua chris,

congrats po s back 2 back championship!!!

weloveTIU:] said...

congrats!:))

one big fight!

Anonymous said...

congratulations ATENEO BLUE EAGLES!!!! im so happy for all the ATENEANS, the team deserves it very much.. I never got the chance to watch the game because I have to go to mass.. I prayed for the victory of ateneo, and I'm so happy because they did.. sana next year uli!!
,, back to back baby!! yeah! love you chris!!!

Trish said...

Nice!
Congrats. :)

natz said...

Hi kuya chris its me agen.... i just watched Pinoy Records and everything changed... well i just want to say that what berwin did was so dangerous but so AMAZING!!! i've seen u accept audience too... i just want to ask that if ever we want to watch, do we need to pay? and if we need to pay how much does the ticket or entrance cost??? i hope you can answer my question... tc olweiz kuya... and God Bless sa games...


btw, hope that we can see you perform ur extreme talent... ;p

kathrina(dzoie@yahoo.com) said...

AMDG!!!!

ONE BIG FIGHT
+
ONE BIG HEART
------------------
BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONSHIP!!

ONE ATENEO!!!WE BELIEVE
kudos to jai(he's my finals mvp), he led the team with the play he created and the wonderfdul shots he made..kudos to rabeh and noy...and kudos to the whole team.. for us chris ur still part of that team.. since u inspired most of them especially jai and eric..nkita ko leadership mo kay jai nung game 3...

by the way, thanks for signing my standee...

good to see u again chris...

weng10282000 (",) said...

hi chris... :)

Finally, long wait is over...

ADMU Blue Eagles wins back to back UAAP championships (Juniors and Seniors Division), we've made it to the top! one big fight!!! I hope that next year it would be a great team to beat and becoming a champions for the 3rd time (oh how i wish...)

Congratz to the team!!! Keep it up!!!

Praying for you, chris and take care :)

simplegal said...

Hello Chris! Hope the celebration's going well..Keep inspiring people to help and reach out..God bless and congrats again! For the nth time, can't wait to see you play again..Ingat..:)

Yes said...

Hi Chris,

Congratulations once again! And I am with you in praying for all our brothers who were victims of typhoon PEPENG. It really breaks my heart everytime I catch the news and see our brothers struggling for help and helplessly crying over the damages it cost to their properties, livelihoods and even loved ones. Now is the time where our prayers and support matter the most.

Thank God we're all safe!

=)
Yes

Jenny U. said...

Hi kuya Chris.Congrats to Ateneo De Manila University.They deserve to be back to back champions.Sana makapunta kayo rito sa Roxas City. Ang rami kasing supporters ng Ateneo dito lalo na sa school ko.Hope before ako makatapos ng college makapunta kayo rito.Pero,is there any possibility ba kuya?I hope you can answer my question.La kasing Ateneo dito sa amin.La Salle meron.By the way, nakita ko yung bago mong commercial kasama si Kuya JV Casio.It's good na naging magkasundo kayo despite the fact that you came from two different schools and not to mention rivals pa.Di me maka comment sa twitter mo.Take care always and always thanks god to your blessings.See yah.I miss seeing you in UAAP.

jai ho said...

hey chris!

ADMU BLUE EAGLES did a tremendous bounced back against UE.. A job well done for you guys.. Hats off to the players, coaching staff, utility etc.. We were there, we watched the game and as the game ended, mukhang ATENEO ang IYAKIN, it's because of JOY..grbe tlga.. We wasn't able to take a picture of the players. I am really frustrated since galing pa kmi ng Bicol and we traveled that far to watched the game. Good thing is, you were still there with Ms. Clarisse. I thought she will never respond when I waved my hand and said "Hi Ms. Clarisse".. She's so nice and gorgeous.. You also asked us if we were basketball players because we are so tall. grabe! I was the one who answered you because my friends were starstrucked.. I still cant believe it.. and we even took pictures with you and Ms. Clarisse.. Nahihiya nga kmi cos ikaw kmuha ng picture when you said "o girls naman". Pati na rin c Ms. Clarisse.. What a very memorable and funny experience..haha. For sure, you forgot about what happened already but for us, we will treasure it forever.. Sorry, we failed to say Thank You, pls send also my appreciation to her esp. when I shook ur and her hands.. I was thinking of it several times na, thank you for making it happen.. Sayang nga kase u said d pictures were blurry kase walang flash.. We wanted to take another shot but mukhang nagmamadali kau.. Hopefully next time, perfect timing na talaga.. :)))

P.S
I heard you didn't attend the bonfire last night because you're not feeling well. How are you today? Please take care of yourself and never forget to pray..

AMDG!

Anonymous said...

congrtazzzzzzzzzz...

lieutenant said...

CONGRATULATIONS...! the next goal will be 3-peat on 73rd UAAP season..

Anonymous said...

congratulations! I hope I could watch the game because I haven't watch it due to the typhoon here in the north! More powers!

Erine said...

Congratz to the team again!!!

Kahit di ko napanood, inabangan ko ang updates sa facebook, and it was really surprising that the scores of ADMU left UE far behind sa first half pa lang!!!

VEry impressive for the team, because actually, I thought that the team would be a bit lame without you and Escueta but I was wrong...

I was so surprised how the newbies stepped up.. And I was so impressed by how Rabeh held the team together towards victory..


BAsketball really is brotherhood..

Congratz to the team again!!!!

Kali said...

i have a question.. why is your other stall's name Kalbi? where did you get it? I like it. =D

Aeron said...

Wow Chris!
I watched PBA's 35th Season's Opening Ceremonies kanina..
Nuks, Guest Team pala kayo..
In preparation para sa mga laban niyo out of the country..
Well, at least makakatulong for y'all..
How nice naman ng PBA! ;)
We'll support and watch every game of the Smart Gilas team!
Good Luck! :)

Abc789 said...

Hi Chris !! Congratulation sa victory. :) I'll be dining in 22 prime tomorrow ( Tuesday Oct. 12, 2009 ). Sana nandun ka. yiheee... hope to see you there. :)

Unknown said...

we had chinky chickens at the bonfire dude

Anonymous said...

congrats sa ateneo blue eagles at eaglets!!back2back....deserving talaga sila..

sana andun ka din..

miss ka na namin na naglalaro ka for ateneo...=)

krystine said...

congrats to the ateneo blue eagles!
btw, im from northern luzon..ilocos province..thanks for your concern..:)

weloveTIU:] said...

kuya chris, i saw you at the PBA opening, gwapo mo tlaga:) looking forward to smart gilas' games :D

Reyapeh Sinajon said...

congrats po to your team...
they really deserved it...
haha... thats all

tc always...
god bless

sherilyn said...

hi chris,

Congratulations to the Ateneo team!!!
another great season...

Congratulations also to the Laguna sparks...for the clear men championship title...

Anonymous said...

hi.. kuya Chris

when will be the first PBA game of Smart Gilas? ^_^


God bless!

cj said...

@Anonymous

the first game of Smart Gilas on PBA will be on Friday at 2:30pm. Let's support the team on their first game! ^_^

good luck Chris on your game and to the players of Smart Gilas!

bfrances said...

Hi Kuya Chris!

Truly, AMDG!

God is so good. He guided the team. Congratulations to the Ateneo Blue Eagles!

I'm truly proud to be part of the Ateneo community. One Big Fight!

Mary for you, for your White and Blue.

The team deserves it. They are dedicated, hard-working, and so disciplined while remaining humble and God fearing. :)

Go Ateneo!!! :)

A bientot,

Ben Francis G. Rances