F4 Fever

According to Studio 23's UAAP coverage, Ateneo's F4 (they really needed to use F4 again!) would be the key to the Eagles' victory. I can't imagine Rich Alvarez, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier and Wesley Gonzales singing, "Wo jue bu neng shi qu ni" though.

They really need to rely on Wesley more since he's been playing like a professional player. Crossovers, fakes, and an unbelievable hangtime are all in the Wesley package. Also, much like a professional player, he missed his first three free throws, the third one being an airball. However, no matter what his charity shots say, he does start strong in the first half. UE knows this and sure enough, he gets hit hard early in the first quarter.

However, Wesley disappointed me in the second half. Maybe, a clone replaced him there as he wasn't his same self much like Earl Strickland's first game in the 2003 World Pool Championship.

I'm impressed with Rich. He seems to have increased his repertoire of moves. He still needs to work on those post up moves though. Paolo Bugia is a defensive machine - a few points, good number of blocks and rebounds. He reminds me of Ben Wallace sans the afro.

Ateneo drops their first game as they failed to convert (they failed to make an attempt) in the last 15 seconds, 68-69. However, looking back, Ateneo has shown the potential to defend their title. Their defense seems tighter as seen in the number of blocks and steals in this first game. Their transitions are much faster.

Some flaws of the team are: their overuse of their veterans, and their over-reliance in their three pointers. However, what really killed them today are their poor free throw percentage (and I mean POOR). If they only made at least one of their missed free throws, we'd be seeing a different ball game.

I like UE's courtside update. "Coach Boysie Samar. Said that. Be careful. In bringing down. The ball. Stay away. From injury. Get more WE-bounds. Back to you. Boom and Rand-DEH!" Ateneo's courtside update went by pretty fast. Too fast. I think that was a minute update compressed into 10 seconds. I miss Patty Laurel's courtside update.

Maybe the title, "F4 Fever" for Ateneo's Fantastic Four was right. They got feverish that they seemed "weak" in the last few seconds of the game.

Music:	Jewel - Intuition
Mood:	Sad, but hopeful