How Do You Top a 14-0?
Saturday, September 22, 2007
By chopping it down to a 14-2.
Which is almost an impossibility for the three teams remaining with the right to challenge the flawless University of the East's Red Warriors.
The thing is, Dindo Pumaren's team looks like it's misplaced in the UAAP.
Where else in the country can you find their league-best and second-best averages of 85 points and 48 rebounds a night but in the PBA? And get this: despite their game-to-game onslaughts, only Mark Borboran and Kelvin Gregorio consistently drop in more than 10 points in every game.
Against such a squad whose brotherhood extends even to sharing the 85-point-cake without tantrums, employing the usual clamp-down technique (like what most teams try to do in vain versus Jervy Cruz or Patrick Cabahug) won't work. It's like you handcuffing Pumaren so he can't use his pistols only to watch his chests open up and gun you down a-la Gundam HeavyArms.
Especially that teamwork isn't just a word that the Red Warriors write on their Post-Its and plaster on their refs. They practice it- complete with malice. That's why they lead the league in assists with almost 19 per game, thus the excellent shooting records. They're the only team that hits six of every 10 attempts while burying three of every 10 three-pointers-- the latter, another statistic they're the best at in the college league.
With ball movements and shooting touches seemingly inspired by Cupid, the only way that would ensure of crumbling this red-white wall is an offnight. Interestingly, it did came, but coincided with their opponents' El Ninyo as well, which was the NU Bulldogs. Both shot below 30% the entire night, but UE, being the better team assists-wise, came home with the oasis on the face.
If the Warriors at least have an Achilles' heel, it must be their hands- they pass the ball to their opponents about 18 times per night. However, unless the challengers keep in mind that they too must keep dribbling the ball, this UE weakness isn't that weak anyway. Pumaren's boys snatch the ball back at least 6 times every game while they pull it down after a missed shot for about 48 times.
An "A" for Efficiency.
So how do you register at least two wins against these Spartans who never had more than two games they won by anything less than five? And which is yet to happen again?
Pray. The same prayer that plagued UE back last August23. Then unleash the Archer, the Eagle or the Tiger.
The Warriors are not invincible.
posted by arvee @ 1:30 AM,
3 Comments:
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At September 24, 2007 at 8:08 AM,
said...
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naks naman, prayer, bagay ang title ng blog sa entry na 'to: hardcourt emo! hehe, opapi! babawi tayo next year.
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At September 25, 2007 at 12:29 AM,
Poli said...
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No one wins 15 straight games.
My nose bled while reading this entry. Can't relate with BB jargon.
Hey, you should make a tennis entry. -
At October 2, 2007 at 10:51 AM,
said...
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Amen.
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Hail UE Red Warriors for thy is the glory TODAY...
... But TOMORROW will be ours!