UAAP Finals: Repeat versus revenge

Two teams are left gunning for the UAAP crown – one for legacy, the other for payback. “I honestly don’t think we have any advantage over FEU. If ever we do, it’s the Finals, so everything is up in the air. Your advantage is not gonna work here," says Ateneo Coach Norman Black in what could be none other than a tone of modesty. The Blue Eagles know that they’re the strongest team this season; the statistics and record are there to prove it. Still, they are aware that in the UAAP, you cannot spend too much time celebrating your victories. On the contrary, Far Eastern University had a rocky journey to the Finals despite being a powerhouse team. They even lost once to University of the Philippines, the lowest ranked team this season. Fortunately for them, they picked up their game just in time for the playoffs and defeated the Adamson Falcons twice to book the finals ticket. The Adamson threat “Masarap talaga yung feeling na twice mong tinalo yung Adamson na second seed," says FEU Coach Bert Flores. They beat the only team that beat Ateneo this year despite having two men down, veterans JR Cawaling and Pipo Noundou, due to injuries. Cawaling is out for the season, while Noundou may still play in Game Two depending on his recovery. “Malaking kawalan na injured silang dalawa. Lalo pa, wala na kaming Reil Cervantes ngayon, hindi pa 100 percent si Pipo. Wala na kaming panapat sa post," adds Flores. But Finals contenders don’t make excuses, which is why Flores expects his players to be the hungrier team. “Sabi ko nga sa kanila, andun na yung isang paa mo sa loob, kaya ipasok mo na lahat," he says. Last wish For the veterans on both squads, a UAAP championship would be the best graduation gift. Among those who are already in their fifth and final playing year is Eagle Bacon Austria. He’s been with the team since 2007, a painful year for Ateneo since they lost to the La Salle Green Archers in the stepladder. But from 2008 to 2010, he has been part of the three-time champions. “Yun na nga, fifth year ko na. Kailangan mag-champion," says Austria. He says the difference this year is the players. Last year’s Rookie of the Year Terrence Romeo and FEU’s other young gunners but have gained experience over the past year but Ateneo has the wily veterans. “Di na kami underdog ngayon going into the Finals," says Austria, referring to the fact that the Tamaraws were the top seed last season. “Mas maganda talunin ang FEU ngayon," he adds. Besides, he had another cause going into the championships. Asked if “ipaghihiganti niya ang daddy niya," the younger Austria simply smirks and says “Oo." Rookies who don’t need experience “It’s an honor to be part of this rookie class that’s really making an impact on their teams," says the Rookie of the Year, Kiefer Ravena. Aside from Most Valuable Player Ray Parks, Juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer and veteran-rookie Greg Slaughter, two of the most impressive rookies are Tams Mike Tolomia and Russell Escoto. “They’re both athletic," observes Ravena of the two RP Youth members. “We were teammates in the RP team kaya wala kaming advantage sa isa’t isa. Alam na namin yung laro naming lahat eh," he adds. Ravena says that the Finals are like an RP Youth reunion for the three of them including fellow Ateneo rookies Von Pessumal and Gwyne Capacio. Gwyne is the son of Glenn Capacio, the former FEU coach who led the Tams to the Finals last year. “I’m just enjoying the moment. It’s my first Finals experience here in the seniors," says Ravena who has three UAAP Juniors championships under his belt. No matter how experienced he may look while on the court, the rookie in him still comes out whenever he talks about the UAAP seniors with childlike excitement. But he remains focused on the prize: “Bonus na lang talaga para sa akin yung Rookie of the Year Award eh. Ang main goal talaga is to win the four-peat. We just have to play and pray hard. The good thing is, the pressure is spread out among all 21 players and coaching staff." “Kami maliit na, payat pa" “Excited kami makabawi," says go-to Tamaraw RR Garcia. Garcia was last year’s MVP. This year, it was won by rookie Ray Parks of National University. “Tanggap ko na naman yon. Di ko naman pinipilit na maging MVP ulit. Kailangan ko ngayon mag-champion," he says. He thinks that the key to their success is their transition offense, seeing that they are smaller than their opponents. “Wala kaming post. Malalaki sila. Kami maliit na, payat pa," says Garcia. True enough, Black says they are taking the game inside the paint – what with a seven-footer bruiser at center. “This year, we play more of the inside game. FEU is focusing more on their guards. While we have good defense and fast breaks, the rebounding is still going to be the deciding factor here. FEU is good at offensive rebounding," explains Black. Place your bets For a team that doesn’t admit to having any advantage, even FEU’s coach believes that the odds are favored towards Ateneo. “Halos lahat ng players ng Ateneo kailangang bantayan. Magaling ang coach eh. Nag-coach na yan sa national team, sa pros," says Flores. Although no newbie to the task, Flores last served as a head coach in 2006. He mentored the 2005 FEU champion team led by current PBA superstar Arwind Santos. “Tsaka kung mayroong Fighting Maroons, kami naman may fighting injuries," kids Flores. “Pero seryoso, iba ang feeling pag na-stop mo ang four-peat nila." FEU’s dugout was closed after the game. Now they need another two-game sweep like what they did to Adamson in the Final Four. Black, too, did not want to make predictions. “What for? You can’t control how the game’s gonna turn out. We just play the game and then we’ll see what happens," he said. Coach Norman has to admit Ateneo has at least one advantage over FEU – the Blue Eagles are one game ahead, and just one win away from a fourth straight UAAP championship. - OMG/HS, GMA News,