Filed under: Basketball, College Hoops | Tags: Aldrech Ramos, Andy Barroca, Dylan Ababou, FEU, Jeric Teng, JR Cawaling, Khasim Mirza, NU, Paul Sanga, RR Garcia, UAAP, UP, UST
In the main event at 4pm, the UST Tigers (4-3) seek to avenge their first round loss to FEU Tamaraws (6-1) as UST’s big troika (Dylan Ababou, Jeric Teng and Khasim Mirza) tries to skip through the tough Cervantes-less FEU powerhouse (Aldrech Ramos, Mark Barocca, JR Cawaling, Paul Sanga and RR Garcia). *gulps* That doesn’t sound appealing to the Tiger fans, at all. Especially if your top gunner was limited to a conference-low 10 points the last time.
A win for UST will seal the elusive *solo* third spot previously clogged by two more teams in De La Salle Archers and UE Red Warrios who are now both lodged at 4-4 after recent setbacks.
Meanwhile the battle of the erstwhile spellbound UP (now) Fighting Maroons (1-6) over the NU Bulldogs (2-5) is set at 2 pm.
Predictions:
versus 
The Sports Minded: NU by four points.
Wow, this will be exciting. NU overpowered UP in the first round though I expect a closer outcome. This is a ‘crucial’ battle for the cellar. Up will have a tough time guarding Ponferrada down low.
KC13: UP by single digits.
I actually see a good game. We’ve seen both teams make title contenders run for their money in several games in the first round. UP, who is fueled by Woody Co (le sigh) and his miraculous shooting and that rookie who has game, will snatch this one if they get their scoring going to try and level the playing field for them in the cellar. Force of habit.
On Point: UP by nine points.
Woody Co’s decent play continues to surprise me as well as Sison’s. Also, watch out for the other Reyes (the rookie point guard), this kid got skills. Meanwhile, NU just came from a big win over Adamson and I think they’ll play well but not good enough. UP’s just on the rise despite their number of losses.
versus 
The Sports Minded: UST by seven points.
Cervantes will serve his suspension tomorrow, who cares! FEU is so deep that losing one key guy doesn’t even mean a thing. They outclassed the Tigersin the first round I highly doubt it will happen again. The Tigers MUST break the press effectively and execute if not, they are in deep trouble. St. Dominic will help them. FEU won’t have an answer for divine intervention.
KC13: FEU by single digits.
Depsite Cervantes being slapped a one-game suspension, they have the rest of their Gilas boys to step up. Lest *all* of FEU’s players succumbs to an off night. UST, on the other hand, vowed to play a different kind of ball in the second round. If they can play D against the league’s top defensive team as of the moment, they have a shot. But if they keep on giving those incredibly open shots. No chance. As much as it breaks my heart, FEU will again outclass UST in the most heartbreaking way possible.
On Point: FEU by eight points.
Cervantes will not play later but, FEU doesn’t mind. Why worry if you have Ramos, Barroca, Cawaling, Sanga and Garcia running the show? On the other hand, Ababou, Mirza and Teng must bring their A-game to avoid another thrashing from the first place Tams, but the X-factor for UST is the pace of the game. They have to control the tempo, and for that to happen– they have to own the boards to be able to get their high-octane offense going. Of course, it’s easier said than done considering how FEU can frustrate and limit you with their top-caliber defense.
Filed under: Basketball, College Hoops | Tags: ADMU, Aldrech Ramos, Andy Barroca, Dylan Ababou, FEU, Khasim Mirza, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, UAAP, UST
Most analysts predicted that the Smart Gilas guys, namely Andy Barroca, Rabeh Al-Hussaini (though he haven’t really trained with Gilas much), Dylan Ababou, Aldrech Ramos, would be the top contenders for this year’s most valuable player. They definitely lived up to the hype and as expected they are the usual suspects so far in UAAP play.
They say Barroca has the upperhand but Ababou’s game so far is solid because he needs to carry half the load for the Tigers night in night out. While, highly touted Paul Lee has yet to show consistency with his game.
Let’s rank them on my top five MVP candidates so far after the first round.
5. Khasim Mirza (16.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg)- After a disappearing act last season, Mirza is finally living up to his potential and playing one hell of a consistent season so far. He knows that the Tigers need him big time for them to have a chance and so far he’s giving them a fighting chance with his steady play. He needs to keep it going for the Tigers to have a crack at the next round.
4. Rabeh Al-Hussaini (15.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) – Numbers are a little bit down from last year but the reigning MVP is still playing his usual game. He’s still a formidable force inside. He is the Eagles’ meal ticket and so far he is playing steady. Ateneo is still on top. He’s doing his job.
3. Andy Barroca (13.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.2 apg) – He is the pre-season pick for MVP but why is he only ranked third on my list and FEU is at the top along with ADMU? Simple. He doesn’t need to carry a lot of load given the depth of the Tams and rookie RR Garcia’s consistent play at the point to back him up. It doesn’t mean that he’s not playing the way he should. His leadership is what the Tams need and he is consistently delivering so far. He is a monster player but he doesn’t need to be that player each game because they are a very deep team.
2. Aldrech Ramos (11 ppg, 10.6 rpg) – This guy is a monster. FEU got a dime in this guy. He blocks shots, protects that paint, scores, gives inside presence. What more can you ask for? The numbers speak for itself. He’s averaging a double double after the first round and don’t expect him to slow down. He is a huge factor why the Tams have been virtually invincible in their past outings. Ramos will be the key if FEU wants to win it all.
1. Dylan Ababou (19 ppg, 7.1 rpg) – A lot is expected out of him this season and so far he is delivering the goods for the Tigers. He is dubbed as the King Tiger this season for a reason. According to some analysts pre-season synopsis, if Ababou doesn’t average around 20 points the Tigers won’t have a decent chance. Ababou so far is living up to it as he leads the league in scoring (as expected). He needs to continue delivering and carry the Tigers each game if they are to advance to the final four. No Ababou, no chance for the Tigers. That’s how it will be for the Tigers all season long.
I think if the Tigers make the final four, Ababou just might get the plum this year.
Triangle Offense 