Zags vs RR

I enjoy watching Tonino “Zags” Gonzaga play.  He may not be as publicized as Ateneo’s other guards, but he brings in spark and energy into the game.    You can see that he loves the game, that he loves playing the game, that he loves being part of the Blue Eagle team.  Every shot he takes and every assist he makes he savors and celebrates.  You can’t measure the impact of that kind enthusiasm.

And so I truly enjoyed it when, in Game 2 of the UAAP basketball finals, in the last few seconds of the 1st Quarter, as FEU’s star player Ryan Roose “RR” Garcia decided to isolate himself for a one-on-one with the burly Atenean spitfire, Zags was able to steal the ball.  The crowd roared in delight as he sprinted towards the basketball hoop.   I thought he would go all the way and I was worried that he would miss badly but then he turned and dished the pass to a streaking Justin Chua for the basket!  That’s heart and that’s teamwork!

Reliving last year’s game 1

Now to get everyone in the mood, here are some pics from last year’s Game 1:

More after the break . . .

Let the games begin

It all comes down to this.  Game 1 of the UAAP basketball finals is at 3 PM today.  It’s a rehash of last year’s finals, except this time it’s Ateneo who is favored.  One Big Fight!

FEU overcomes twice-to-beat Adamson

It must have been heart-breaking for Adamson. They had just come off breaking the winning streak of Ateneo and thwarting the Blue Eagles’s quest for a 14-game sweep. They had the twice-to-beat advantage over FEU. Their fans confidently touted that it was their time and cheered for “One Clean Fight.”

Unfortunately, FEU shoved a bitter pill down their throat.

I love watching these two teams play. They play gritty, body-slamming, teeth-clenching basketball. They definitely have the crowd support. Their students fill the coliseum and shriek their adoration.  That’s what I love with college basketball.  It’s difficult not to get caught up in the emotion.