Ateneo Team B wins over DLSU Team B

I remember talking to Joe Buduan about the Ateneo Team B game in the Father Martin's Cup. I was just getting up after a tiring bonfire that got me going home at around 2 am. The two previous nights also got me sleeping at that time. I was excited to finally see the future of our Ateneo program and at the same time the future of the DLSU program as well. I am honestly not that familiar with ALL our new players but I know a couple so here are just snippets on the players and some notes.

Alec Rivera drives over the two tall men of DLSU. Papot Paredes (24) and the much hyped Norberto Torres (27). Paredes 6'6 and is another RP Youth Campaigner plucked by Coach Franz to play for the Green and White.

Vince Fran, christened by a lot of Team B followers as Hell Boy can be a good addition to the Team A of the Ateneo. He is a good defender and is not afraid to mix it up inside and has an occasional offense. Here is defended by three DLSU players including Norberto Torres.

During the 2007 NCAA Juniors tournament, Ryan Buenafe was the no. 1 scorer of the league playing for San Sebastian. Nico Salva who is from San Beda that time was no. 2 and the no. 3 scorer came from Jose Rizal University, that scorer is now donning the # 4 jersey of the Ateneo Team B, he is Bon Jovi Cipriano. I heard that he had an ACL injury and is not the same scorer that he used to be when he was in High School. But nevertheless he still scored on a three pointer here and a couple of jumpers and drives to the hoop. For me he is Team A ready.

JP Erram 6'7 is one of the big guys we got from Cagayan de Oro. He played High School ball for the Pilgrim Christian College while in this picture is his high school nemesis Phillip Paredes who played High School ball for the Sacred Heart team in CDO. Erram followed his Coach Arvin Martinez who has since transferred to Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro and their team barely made it to the sweet 16 in last year's PCCL. If ever both players make it to Team A of their respective teams, then they will bring their rivalry form CDO to Manila. Given time, who knows he might be the next Nonoy Baclao.

Paul Siarot is a 6'4 forward in the mold of a Wesley Gonzales. Unfortunately he has not shown progress yet and is likely to come out as a Wesley Snipes. Just kidding. He is till raw and I think another stint with Team B for another year will definitely help him develop. He is the other part of the CDO connection of Ateneo and he has gone a long way together with JP Erram. Both of them came from the same High School and also transferred to Xavier University.

Jumbo Escueta for me is the one who is ready for Team A next year. He showed superb low post moves and adequate defense. I remember seeing him block a shot in a drive by one of the Green Shirts. Norberto Torres had a hard time containing him and I think this 6'4 - 6'5 center can replace Rabah in the middle. I think we ought to slide Vince Burke to Team B and give this Filam a chance in the middle.

Even as a Blue Eaglet I have loved seeing Alec Rivera man the point. For me he is a true point guard, knows how to distribute the ball well and knows when to put on some offense. Here he is shown shooting over the 6'7 Norberto Torres.

Imagine the DLSU frontline that will have the 6'7 Torres, 6'6 Paredes and 6'5 Arvie Bringas. That would be a sight to behold considering we can also match up with them. Torres is a small forward in a 6'7 body. He can sink the three pointer, drive to the hoop but is not comfortable playing his back to the basket. Paredes showed good defense but his offense needs to be polished more.

This is a sight we will see in the next four years, JP Erram vs Norberto Torres. Together with Jumbo Escueta, Vince Fran and Paul Siarot I think we can have a good frontline. I hope that they come to be exceptional players when they are developed. Lastly, I did not get to see Norman Penola play. I was hoping to see him play but unfortunately he was nursing an injury. He is also one of the few players raring to go come season 74. Go Ateneo One Big Fight!