15 September 2011
FEU 59, Adamson U 49
FEU forces knockout game
18 September 2011
FEU 78, Adamson U 74
FEU clinches Finals berth
To cut all storylines and other explanations short, it is suffice to say that the Adamson story is a fairy tale story. The Soaring Falcons never had big success in the UAAP in the past, and they have always landed fifth or sixth place after the eliminations, despite having stars and go-to guys like Mark Abadia, Leo Canuday, PJ Cabahug, and Ken Bono. Prior to this season, the only lists in the Soaring Falcons in their resume would be their short Final Four stints in 2006 and 2010, both put to a halt by the team that they never won against in the past 14 years: the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
But then enter Coach Leo Austria, a no-nonsense strategist who envisioned the Soaring Falcons as a contender despite limited financial support compared to UAAP powerhouses. He headed the efforts to turn a rag-tag team of basketball players into one that could topple Ateneo and prevent them from getting their fourth straight championship. In fact, they proved that they could do it a few weeks ago, when they defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles by 16 points, the average winning margin of the defending champions this season.
And that is why Soaring Falcons fans thought that now was their time, that this team can usher a new age for the UAAP, one wherein the trophy will move out from Katipunan Avenue to San Marcelino. Even Alex Nuyles' tears of joy after their final game of the elimination round clearly attests to this message of hope.
But there's something that might cause their downfall, which is their lack of experience in the Final Four. While it is true that they have a lineup that could be dangerous, it is only their third time to enter the Final Four in five years, and their first time to handle a twice-to-beat advantage. Mix it the fact that while this team might be strong, they were highly inconsistent and tend to lose their focus. Just a few games ago, Coach Leo Austria attributed their loss to the UST Growling Tigers to too much anticipation of facing Ateneo for their 14th game, which nearly cost them the number 2 spot. It was fortunate that they won against the Blue Eagles and secured their twice-to-beat advantage, however, with the Blue Eagles in the Finals and the FEU Tamaraws as a big obstacle, how can this not happen again?
This disadvantage of the Falcons entering the Final Four was something that the FEU Tamaraws would like to take advantage of. For the past years, the Tamaraws have had consistent Final Four appearances. In fact, after unsuccessful stints in the semifinals, they even became the favorites in Season 73, only to lose to the Blue Eagles in two Finals games. Now, despite being number three, now was the time to strike. The Soaring Falcons did them a big favor when they forced a Final Four, having the comfort of not facing UST and Adamson more than once in the playoffs, a more herculean task to do than beating the Soaring Falcons twice, since they faced defeat with both teams. In a position where they experience less pressure despite the one-game incentive of the Falcons, all it takes is one huge push to make it to the top.
And push they did. The Tamaraws took advantage of an Adamson basketball team whose ammo have run out after firing everything at the Blue Eagles. The thirteen-point margin by the end of the first half, in favor of FEU, is supposed to be a wake up call for the Falcons. As Coach Leo Austria says, once they blow this game, it will be all over for them. Sadly, things didn't go their way as they were in a hole that was 20 points deep by the end of the third quarter.
The Falcons made one last push that trimmed the lead to nine, thanks to Alex Nuyles, who even made a thunderous dunk that silenced the FEU crowd, perhaps reminding them that this Falcons team can "pull an Ateneo" (referring to the AdMU-FEU 2nd round meet) on them. However, that was the last of what the Falcons had, as the whole FEU team saved themselves from another meltdown, thanks to the combo of RR Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, and Terrence Romeo.
The final score was 59-49, in favor of the Tams who lived to fight for another day. On the other side, Adamson now had been put in a precarious situation, facing a do-or-die game that decides whether they will be seeing Ateneo in the Finals or they'll just sit back in the lower box section of the Smart Araneta Coliseum, watching two (or three) matches between Ateneo and FEU. Moreover, there is this one setback that they have to face, as Alex Nuyles was limping away after that loss, and later they would find out that he was suffering from an ankle sprain which could affect his game and therefore their chances. All in all, this was a bitter pill to swallow for the Falcons, but as they say, it ain't over 'til it's over.
Regrouping, reprogramming, returning. These were perhaps the themes running through the heads of the Adamson Falcons as they entered their knockout game. After all, the scoreboard will go back to 0-0 and they still have this one chance. Early in the knockout game, they showed that they still have what it takes to challenge Ateneo. Unfortunately, Cris (or Mike, if the media prefers) Tolomia, the former Baby Tam and U-18 guard pulled off a miracle, raining down jumpers and dribble drives that extended the lead to until 11 in the fourth quarter.
Near the end of the game, the Tamaraws thought they had it all, until there was Jerick Canada. Many believed that putting him alongside Lester Alvarez would not be as effective as combining either of them with Janus Lozada. But then, he hit two big three pointers to keep Adamson afloat and provide a start to a big comeback and an upset against FEU. Together with Jan Colina, Janus Lozada, and Lester Alvarez, Canada's season and his UAAP career is on the line, and he might as well bring it all just to get into the Finals. After those threes, FEU's lead dwindled down to 2, and another "pull an Ateneo" kind of fear swept through the crowd.
But all attempts were in vain, because by the time when the Tamaraws had the ball and missed a crucial shot, Russel Escoto, the surprise of the year for the Tams, was lucky to tap the ball outside for Terrence Romeo to grab the offensive board as time expires. The Falcons then had no choice but to foul and hope that the man who can either win or lose it all for the Tamaraws would miss the free throw.
However, he calmly sunk those two charities to seal FEU the win. By the sound of the final buzzer, the game was finished, and the Tamaraws were already celebrating in the court, happy that they would have the opportunity to face Ateneo for the second straight time in the UAAP Finals. Jens Knuttel was one of those who were so happy, he planked in the middle of the court at the delight of his teammates.
As for the Soaring Falcons, there was only silence and sadness. At the singing of the school song, Coach Leo Austria was left speechless. There were a few sobs here and there from the four graduating Falcons. And as for Alex Nuyles? He was there perhaps thinking what could have happened had he not sprained his ankle and missed crucial shots in the last part of the game. If only. Perhaps he just hopes that he and Eric Camson can still carry another magnificent run like this next year.
On a side note, too bad the Blue Eagles will not face the Soaring Falcons for the Finals. They just have to wait until the Philippine Collegiate Champions' League to avenge their loss.
The Scores:
Game 1:
FEU 59 – Romeo 19, Garcia 16, Exciminiano 8, Ramos 7, Bringas 6, Escoto 2, Tolomia 1, Pogoy 0, Cruz 0
Adamson 49 – Nuyles 20, Camson 6, Cañada 5, Alvarez 5, Brondial 4, Lozada 4, Colina 3, Manyara 2, Etrone 0, Cabrera 0
Quarter scoring: 11-9, 29-23, 52-32, 59-49
Game 2:
FEU 78 – Tolomia 19, Romeo 15, Garcia 11, Escoto 10, Ramos 10, Cruz 8, Exciminiano 5, Pogoy 0, Bringas 0, Knuttel 0
Adamson 74 – Cañada 14, Camson 13, Nuyles 12, Lozada 9, Alvarez 9, Colina 8, Manyara 4, Petilos 3, Brondial 2, Cabrera 0
Quarter scoring: 18-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-74
Credits to inboundpass.com
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