Aldrech Ramos of FEU goes for a reverse layup.(Photo by Roy Afable)
It's almost the end of the road for this season's UAAP basketball action. A lot of things happened in the last few games of the Elimination Round and the Final Four. Without further ado, let's take a look back at the games that made head turns:
Elinination Round
Thursday, September 8 Game 1: Bulldogs destroy Archers 56-40
Unfortunate turn of events for the La Salle Green Archers when the UE Red Warriors pulled a shocker on them. Their only chance of perhaps getting back into Final Four contention was to win their last 2 games. They faced the National U Bulldogs lead by their prized rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr. in a make or break kind of game.
In the 1st half it was neck and neck for both teams. The Archers had the upper hand in the 3rd quarter until things didn't go their way -- Ray Parks Jr. took advantage of the situation.
The Bulldogs made a scoring run early in the 4th quarter thus the Gang Green were scrambling for offense and defense. The Archers Almond Vosotros was once again tried to bail them out but most of shots weren't dropping -- hitting bricks in the process. Their cold shooting until the final buzzer. DLSU dropped perhaps yet another "easy-to-win" kind of game.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. scored 25 points for National U.
The Archers' Almond Vosotros, in a losing effort finished with 16 points.
Game 2: UST beat FEU 77-73
With the La Salle on the verge of getting the boot from Final Four action, the UST Tigers were looking to seal it with a win against the mighty FEU Tamaraws -- whom are also aiming for a higher spot in the semis.
UST's resident big man Karim Abdul wasted no time as he flexed his muscles to make sure they extend their season.
Meanwhile, FEU ain't the kind of the team that would simply go away, so to speak. RR Garcia had a hot hand scoring all over the place. They had the lead in the first half until the UST got their offense going in the 3rd quarter.
It got tight down the stretch but it was the Tigers that had the upperhand and went all the way for the win.
UST's Karim Abdul had a monster of a game with 20 points, 13 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
RR Garcia carried the scoring load for FEU with 17 points.
Saturday, September 10
Game 1: Warriors clobber Maroons 68-54
After getting a surprising win over DLSU, the Warriors lead by new mentor Jerry Codinera were looking to finish their season on a high note. Perhaps that's the same idea the Maroons have as well.
UE somehow improved in the last few games and hard work payed off.
The Warriors lead the entire game and it didn't take long for them to fend off the hapless Maroons and end their misery.
Ebrahim Enguio lead UE with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks.
UP's Francis Maniego chalked up 14 points in a losing effort.
Game 2: Adamson shock Ateneo 62-46
The defending champs were looking to end their season a 14-0 sweep and automatically get a spot in the Finals. The Adamson Falcons however have the opportunity that the rest of the teams tried to do the entire tournament -- get a win on Ateneo.
The game was somewhat reminiscent of last year's championship series where the Falcons fell short of claiming their first title. The feeling is perhaps mutual for both teams -- sort of.
The Falcons made their prescence felt early on, as everything was going right for them. It was the exact opposite for the Blue Eagles. Adamson's Alex Nuyles was simply on fire. His teammates then followed suit giving them the advantage the entire game.
Ateneo coach Norman Black was unfazed about his team being down by a large margin. While it was nothing new for his Blue Eagles to be in the back burner trying to catch up, but seeing his team struggle gave him a bit of concern though.
The Blue Eagles managed to keep things close but the Falcons were just playing their best game yet.
Adamson held Ateneo at bay until the final horn sounded. The defending champs officially tasted defeat for the first time.
Swingman Alex Nuyles came out with guns a blazing as he fired up 21 points, 7 boards, 2 assists and 1 steal.
Ateneo's Greg Slaughter was the only player in double digits as he finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Sunday, September 11
Game 1: NU Bulldogs tame UST Tigers 73-49
UST's secured the spot in the Final Four but they're not out of the woods yet as they have yet to end their season with a win over the NU Bulldogs. On the other side of the fence, Ray Parks Jr. ain't just gonna bow out of the tournament and lose their last game. They needed to put their swag back on and give a lasting impression in Season 74 of the UAAP.
The Bulldogs were simply putting up a show as they put the Tigers back to hoops camp with their finesse plays and Bobby Ray's scoring prowess.
National U indeed got their swag back on. Emmanuel Mbe was in beast mode and prized rookie Ray Parks had no problems shooting the ball. The Tigers were ice cold offensively.
The Bulldogs never looked back and ended their season with a big win over UST.
Ray Parks Jr. chaked up 22 points, 8 boards, 6 dime drops, 3 blocks and 1 steal for National U.
UST's Jeric Teng finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.
Game 2: Tamaraws ram Archers 66-57
The Gang Green were officially eliminated in their last game against the NU Bulldogs and were hoping to at least end the season on a good note. It won't be an easy task though, as they're up against FEU.
The Tams lost badly to UST and they ain't happy campers.
It was a close game until the 3rd quarter but it was a different story in the 4th quarter. It seemed like the Archers had a shot at winning their last game of the season but the Tams kept their composure and just did their thing. FEU was just too much to handle for them and not even Almond Vosotros could carry the scoring duties.
It's been a roller coaster ride for the Green Archers.(Photo by Roy Afable
When the smoke was all cleared, the Tams were the obvious victors and it was Simon Atkins' last game for the Archers.
RR Garcia lead FEU with 19 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
La Salle's Simon Atkins -- in his final tour of duty -- finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Final Four
Thursday, September 15 Game 1: Ateneo sweep UST 69-66
Losing to a team like Adamson was bad enough experience for the reigning UAAP champs and for sure they can't afford another one on the UST Tigers.
UST fought tooth and nail to climb back to the Final Four. They didn't make the cut last season and they got an opportunity to contend for the title.
The Blue Eagles were hoping that was the only time they'd lose. Coach Norman Black made sure of that.
It was a different UST team they faced in the Final Four. They were able to keep up with Ateneo's run in the process. Each the Blue Eagles score a bucket and the Tigers would answer back. It went on for a while until it got really close in the 4th quarter.
Swingman Jeric Teng was waxing hot as he shot treys with ease to close the gap on the Blue Eagles.
It all came down to final ticks of the game when it playmaker Jeric Fortuna had the ball in his hands. Fortuna had a good look at the basket from behind the arc but clanked it as the horn sounded. Ateneo won by a hair and advanced to the Finals.
Ateneo's 7 foot big man Greg Slaughter finished with 17 points while superstar rookie Kiefer Ravena added 13 points.
Cameroonian Karim Abdul had 16 points in a losing effort for UST.
Game 2: Tamaraws turn back Falcons 59-49
Fresh from their big win against Ateneo, it was time to get back to business and focus on the FEU Tamaraws. Having a twice-to-beat advantage on their hands but facing a team like FEU won't be a walk in the park.
Adamson seemed like they got everything under control when Terence Romeo of FEU decided to run the show.
Adamson's Alex Nuyles soars high for a breakaway dunk.(Photo by Roy Afable
It worked effectively for the Tams as the Falcons struggled to find a way to contain Romeo. Then his teammates soon followed suit thus giving more problems for the Falcons.
Alex Nuyles would try to carry his team once again to keep it close but he'd come down with in ankle injury late in 4th quarter. The Tams took advantage of it until the final buzzer.
Terence Romeo was the high point man for FEU with 19 points while teammate RR Garcia had 16 points.
Adamson Falcons swingman Alex Nuyles finished with 20 points.
Sunday, September 18
Final Four Game 2: Tamaraws dump Falcons 78-74
While everybody expected the Falcons would back and have another Finals rematch with the defending champs, RR Garcia and the FEU Tamaraws knew they're the underdogs of the tournament. They have to make a statement that they belong in the title contention.
Adamson being the favorite to take on the Ateneo in the Finals, the concern was if Alex Nuyles was healthy enough to play 40 minutes of hoops and win it all.
The veteran swingman was in uniform and in the first five for Adamson which wasn't a surprise. There were some signs of him struggling to score due to the sprained ankle he suffered in the first game. He began playing facilitator for his team.
In the first half, Adamson had the upperhand but FEU took over as soon as the 3rd quarter began. Soon enough Nuyles started to make a scoring run for the Falcons. He was still struggling though but Eric Camson was there to pick up the pieces.
Unfazed by Adamson's offensive surge, the Tams still kept their composure. They maintained their lead at bay but it was a different story in the 4th quarter.
The tandem of Nuyles and Camson closed in on FEU until they would a few bonehead plays down the stretch.
Again, the Tams took advantage of it and sealed the deal with a win.
Mike Tolomia played his best game as he racked up 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block for FEU.
Adamson's Jerick Canada chalked up 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.
Alex Nuyles finished with 12 points to wrap up his UAAP career in a Falcons uniform.
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