To whom success is due,success follows.Most often we think that it is hard work, perseverance and lots of practice that makes one a winner. Most often, it is owning that moment that defines victory as in the case of the recently concluded UAAP Season 74 with Ateneo Blue Eagles rising as the champions. By this time, Ateneo already entitled for their fourth peat after winning four straight years in the championship.
I am not to give all the details of the first and second game between Ateneo and FEU Tamaraws [let's leave that to the more shrewd commentators who can deliver blow-by-blow accounts of those two fantastic yet disappointing [for the part of FEU fans] games. This blog entry is simply a summation of an overflowing personal sentiments that should be aired freely in my OWN corner of this web universe. Being a supporter of the FEU Tamaraws from 2005, the time of Arwind Santos hitherto, I am a bit in hysteria learning that they were defeated by the giant Eagles. Yet on a second thought, their being in that position opposite to Ateneo is a success.
Looking at the early predictions about UAAP standings, nobody could have thought of FEU reaching the finals. It was Adamson whom we thought would make it to the last peak. FEU did quite a good job this year. Only that perhaps they weren't really prepared to defeat Ateneo with the kind of strategies they've shown us. A stronger defense and offense must be maneuvered if they want to bring down Jericho Wall of the Blue Eagles. Let us remember that the powerhouse top five of Ateneo is not a joke. They are tenaciously serious in winning this game. It is evident with the kind of cheerdance they'd deliver in the cheer dance competition. As if telling us it is ok not to have any awards from that contest because their focus is on winning the much coveted title. So there they were, they lost the cheer dance without any awards and UP got it.
Honestly, I cannot be close-eyed with the fact that their Top Players are gifted with impeccable athletic talent. They were the names etched in this years collegiate basketball history and I have this feeling that more is to be written about this guys.
Let me start with the UAAP Season 74 Finals MVP,Nico Salva who just made 13 straight field goals which showcased his surreal ability as an athlete tinted the hue of his blossoming early career. Salva, his surname reminds us of SAVE, salvation, salvage. Accidentally or incidentally, whichever way it is, his surname speaks of his heroic character. If he can save he must be a hero. And a hero he is in the heart of Ateneans.
Second, the man with a funny hair but with a long, long surname; Kirk Long. His arms may be average but we call him long and longer than his family name is the memory that he will leave behind as he will soon leave the UAAP Stardom beng in his senior year. I like how he dribbles and how he do the free throw shots. He has a noticeably vigor stamina which enables him to endure the game up to the 4th quarter if only without a foul. His hair is disgustingly distracting to their foes which for me is an advantage.
We cannot let this discussion pass without talking about the Rookie of the year who is no other than Kiefer Isaac Ravena. His family name reminds me of a breed of eagles which is appropriately melodious to their team's name. But according to research Ravenna is a village in Italy. Either way, he already made a sultry definition to his last name and that is quite an epic in itself. More to come next year with this boy. He is just in his early year as a management communication student in Ateneo so there is nothing to worry.
Lastly, the one who intrigues me the most; the Big Guy. Greg Slaughter, who became the male banner of the Ateneo Blue Eagles this year reminds us of the Philistines behind a jumbo warrior named Goliath. And being the Goliath of Ateno we expect him to be "big but lazy" or "big but maybe" actually, we were proven wrong by his enormous acts that brought goose bumps to several teenage girls regardless of their academic institutions an university affiliations. Greg Slaughter for me is the most promising basketball player of the next generation. He has the skills, the height, the aptitude, and probably... the looks. Being imported from the Vizayas Basketball domain, he wowed us with his vividly spectacular play style and rebound assistance that was never before seen in the game of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, not even during Chris Tiu's time. There is more we can expect from this guy.
Filipinos are fans of basketball. The rivalry flamed even more by the Universities and Colleges made it even more exciting for teenage players and aficionados. Our teens are looking for icons, for somebody they can look up and identify with. Being sporty, they will really search for it in the hard court and this guys are who we have as of today. Let us help them strengthen their template by providing a healthy competition and an environment supportive of athletic and aesthetic endeavor. In this way, we also lessen juvenile dillemas by opening the portals of creative outlets to be busy of. Their future is in the hands of those outside the hard court.
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