By Jeff Cape
Better cling to your seats because the final chapter of Season 70 is about to commence. After two rounds of grueling games in the eliminations, a couple of sudden death and knock out games, we’re now down to this year’s triumvirate: The Blue Eagles nesting in Katipunan (Ateneo de Manila), the Green Archers from Taft (De La Salle) and the still undefeated Red Warriors from Recto (University of the East).
The first round of the eliminations gave a hint of the possibility of making UAAP history—the Red Warriors would force everyone down on their knees and get a staggering 14 wins- 0 losses card. And with adrenaline-abundant games in the second round, UE was able to attain that sweep, thus gaining an automatic spot in the championship and muddling it up for everyone else.
The Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons were immediately eradicated in the league with their score cards carrying dismal 2-12 and 0-14 records. The latter’s coach, as a result of this depressing standing, got kicked-out. The National University (NU) Bulldogs on the other hand, failed to reach the upper half of the league with a 6-8 standing. Thus, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, Ateneo and La Salle were left to battle it out to get to the top.
Since UE attained the right to an assumption to the finals,
the remaining schools would adopt a step-ladder system. The step-ladder system is literally like a ladder—one has to get through every step to get to the top. Significantly, the remaining teams have to face eliminations and knock-out games to fulfill this.
First on the list of eliminations were FEU and UST. With a 7-6 score card, FEU was aimed to step on UST with its 8-5 standing. With their last match in the second round eliminations, FEU was able to do so garnering an equal rank of 8-6. A playoff was scheduled and the defending champions, UST, were able toss FEU off the ladder and gain a match with either La Salle or Ateneo.
In another play-off match for the twice-to-beat advantage, the Green Archers, by a mere point, were able to swoop ahead of the Eagles. Ateneo then stepped down to battle it out with UST and in a heart-stopping game, the Blue Eagles were able to keep the Tigers locked inside their cages. This led to the fourth Ateneo-La Salle face-off of the season this coming Thursday. The Blue Eagles really have to fly high and win twice over the Archers to move on to the top of the ladder and face UE.
Predictions
This I believe is the Season of Faith for the Ateneo. Never mind wasted opportunities against the Bulldogs or that play-off with La Salle. What matters now is what the team can do. The odds are against us, but I believe that with the three-pointing skills of Salamat, Escueta and Tiu, and the heart of the Eagles themselves, we can cling on to that championship. We were able to beat the Archers twice in the elimination; we’ll do it once more. Impossible is nothing. One down, four to go.
Go Ateneo. All-heart, baby.
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