*Jozzua

• Contact Ely
• Make Money Online
• Subscribe

09-26-08

Ateneo, La Salle and the Drama of the Game

Chris Tiu is not a human being.

That was the rumor. He is a robot or an android from another planet. He is too good to be real. Smart, handsome, rich, famous and one of the top gunners for the Ateneo basketball team. He is, in the thoughts of many alumni, the epitome of a true Atenean.

Would it have been a surprise, then, that he looked agitated when he scored only 2 points in the first game for his Alma Mater? It the crucial first-of-three in the championship series? Did he just let his school down?

Mind focused, he came into game two with a Lion’s heart.

“I spent more than half of the game on the bench because of foul trouble and scored only 2 points. Well, I think i got too excited and i wasn’t able to adjust to the calls. - Chris Tiu (from his supposed blog).

Sixteen points later, he walked the court with a sigh and a smile.

Ateneo finally ended years of disappointment with a 62-51 victory over La Salle last night as the Blue Eagles were crowned UAAP champions once more before a joyous crowd at the Araneta Coliseum. - Philippine Star.

And what a game it was. Grown men became children who shouted in passionate flare. Adults with grudges threw insults at each other and at the officials of the game. For a few hours, people forgot themselves in a sea of emotion. Yeah, that’s College Basketball.

The fiery rivalry came forth last night. Ateneo and La Salle, school rivals, sent forth their players, pleased the crowd, and gave a show.

For Ateneo, whose last championship was in 2002, it was redemption over the last few years. They almost made it to the end twice, only to be bumped off by UST and La Salle. The team was reborn this year and crashed through the season with only one loss. Norman black’s collapsing defense formula and the towering front line were unbeatable.

For La Salle, with its proud basketball history, it was a stinging end. They would not just bow out without a final say:

This is the worst officiating I’ve seen for a championship. It’s like giving the trophy to them - Pumaren.

For Chris, it was their time to shine.

His two free throws, a three-pointer, and a runner helped the Eagles extend a 20-17 lead to a 27-17 bubble at the 7:53 mark of the second quarter, the first time the lead breached the 10-point barrier.

Later Tiu scored on a drive, part of an 8-0 run that shot the Eagles in front 41-26 at halftime. - GMA News.

His archrival, Casio, hit five three-pointers to spark the Archers and end the third quarter at 50-47. But it wasn’t enough. Tiu’s team mates stepped up. Defense became stiff.

By the end of the game, the numbers on the board displayed:

And Chris Tiu, along with Jobe, Fr. Ben Nebres and the rest of the Ateneo community, would celebrate a thanksgiving mass.

Thus ends the drama of another UAAP basketball season.
[Pictures from Sharm and Nan.]

 Email This to A Friend

Posted by Jozzua » Featured, Travel & Entertainment