Yours truly cheering the Fabilioh
If there is one thing that I am very proud of the Ateneo, is its rich tradition in Cheerleading. Even before the time when UST and UP introduced their superb stunts in the annual cheerleading competitions the Ateneo introduced female cheerleaders in the Ateneo vs. DLSU 1986 game in the UAAP. But even before that time there were only male cheerleaders and the Ateneo is the best in leading its school to cheers. That was why when I was asked to cheer for the Blue and White in the Fil-oil tournament I gamely obliged even though I know i dont have the strength to bend up and down. I do lack the strength to bend but I still have the heart to do. Here are some highlights of the pre-game cheering and the Halftime of the Ateneo vs. La Salle Fil-oil basketball tournament.
LA Revilla is back
Last school year the De La Salle University hosted the UAAP with the theme Heroes which was very fitting for the UAAP indeed came up with lots of heroes last year. This year, that can still be the case as the Green Archers served notice its intentions to win this year’s UAAP title by beating the three time defending UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles 66 – 61 in the Filoil Preseason Tournament with their newest hero on the court, the comebacking LA Revilla.
The Blue Eagles started out flat which the green archers ably took advantage. After leading 5 – 4 with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter the Green Archers caught fire and unleashed a 12 - 6 run to end the first quarter on top 17- 10. In the second quarter the Archers forced the Eagles to numerous misses and buried the Eagles in an avalanche of points to lead by twelve points 34 - 22. Finally the Eagles woke up and countered with their own 9 - 3 run to close the gap to five at the half 36 – 31.
After the half the Blue Eagles started to clamp down on the Green Archers as their vaunted half court defense finally made caught up on the Green Archers as Justin Chua put the Katipunan 5 on top with two free throws 50 – 49. It was at this time that Revilla took matters into his own hands as he buried two triples and gave the Green Archers a 57 -50 lead. The Blue Eagles would force the Green Archers to misses once again and equalize at 61 - all but unfortunately did not finish well as Revilla presided over a 5 -0 run in the last minute to seal the win.
It was a fitting revenge for Revilla who last played in the UAAP against the Blue Eagles back in 2008. His return gives more solid point guard play for the Archers who have Simon Atkiins playing in his last year. The Green Archers are solid on all positions and are definitely out to make a starement in the 2011 UAAP season and who knows they might even celebrate their centennial with another UAAP Crown. But for now, the win means the Green Archers qualified for the quarterfinals of the Fil-oil tournament.
THE SCORES:
DLSU (66)
Revilla 12, Marata 10, de la Paz 9, Atkins 8, Andrada 5, Paredes 5, Torres 4, Mendoza 4, Van Opstal 3, Villanueva 2, Gotladera 2, Vosotros 1, Webb 1, Tampus 0
Ateneo (61)
Salva 18, Ravena 10, Long 7, Monfort 7, Chua 7, Austria 6, Tiongson 4, Slaughter 2, Golla 0, Gonzaga 0, Sumalinog 0, Erram 0
Quarter scoring: 17-10, 36-31, 49-48, 66-61
Mario Chalmers scrambled under the basket and found a cutting Dwayne Wade who sank a three-pointer to give the Miami Heat a commanding 88 – 73 lead with 7 minutes and 14 second left in the fourth quarter of game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals. Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle sued for time and the Miami Heat with Lebron James and Dwayne Wade were fueling the crowd’s cheers as the Heat sense a commanding 2 – 0 lead in the series. But then again the celebration went way too early as the Mavericks uncorked a paralyzing 22 – 5 run that ended with a Dirk Nowitzki lay up to escape with a 95 – 93 win and even the series at one game apiece.
Dejavu, that sums up the 2011 Playoffs for the Dallas Mavericks as their vaunted offense finally came to life in the last six minutes of the game with Jason Terry waking up from his game 1 nightmare to score eight points as he presided over an 8 – 0 run by the Mavs after Carlisle’s time out. The early celebration might have defocused the Heat as their offense suddenly sputtered as Wade, James, Bosh and Chalmers all missed their jumpers in that stretch which allowed the Mavericks to comeback. The Mavericks have been in this situation in the conference finals as they wiped out Oklahoma’s 15 point fourth quarter lead to win in overtime but this one tops it all.
While Terry ignited the rally, Nowitzki finished off the Heat with his fourth quarter clutch shooting as he scored seven points in the last minute to give the Heat their first home loss in the play-offs which some say might be their last game in Miami. Nowitzki score off a jumper and a three pointer but none was bigger than his lay up with 3 seconds left to give the Mavs the victory. It was rumored that Nowitzki might have a hard time scoring since he tore the tendon in the top knuckle of this left finger late in game 1. But as they say heroes rise to the occasion as his winning shot was a left handed lay up over Chris Bosh.
It was a sorry loss for the Heat moreso for Dwayne Wade who finally exploded as he led all scorers with 36 points with James adding 20, Mike Bibby scoring 14 and Bosh 12 points. Nowitzki’s 24 points were all hard earned and he got great support from Shawn Marion who scored 20 poinyts on 9 of 14 shooting. Jason Terry and Tyson Chandler scored 16 and 13 points respectively. As they say whenever a team wins on the road the series becomes a little more interesting which is what the next three games in Dallas will be.
The Dallas Mavericks are out to avenge their 2006 loss to the Miami Heat, unfortunately they started on the wrong foot. Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points but that was not enough for the Mavericks as the Eastern Conference Champions put a clamp on the rest of the Mavericks to escape an easy 92 -84 win at the America Airlines Arena. Lebron James led the Heat with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, one steal and only one turnover while Dwayne Wade who was the MVP of the 2006 NBA Finals was somewhat content on his supporting role but eventually reminded Nowitzki and Jason Terry what he can do by scoring 7 fourth quarter points. The Mavericks never recovered.
Prior to the game streaks were on hand and both teams were looking at what streak will end. Dallas has never lost a regular season game to the Heat since the 2006 finals. The Mavericks are on a 5 – 0 road streak while the Heat are the only team still unbeaten at home. As they say the importance of game one lies on the balance since 73% of teams that won the first game go on to win the title. At the same time 77% of teams with homecourt advantage in the finals eventually comes out as champions. The Heat have shown that they can win even wihtout that advantage since they bested the best team in the regular season in the Bulls. This is the first time in the playoffs that the Mavericks doesn’t enjoy the homecourt edge.
The Mavericks and Heat battled toe to toe in the first half and when the Mavericks seized the opportunity to break the game open the Miami Big three would put the game beyond recall. Lebron James capped his remarkable four of five three point shooting with a buzzer beater that put the Heat up for good 65 -61 and used taht cushion to get the win. The Heat defense was so good that they limited the playoffs topscorer to just 39 % shooting. At the same time the Heat defense spelled the difference considering that the mavericks averaged close to a hundred a game but the Heat limited them to just 84 points.
The Mavericks reserves will star in the next magic show in Miami since most of their reserves made a disappearing act in game 1. Jason Terry scored 12 points but was 3 for 10 and his points barely mattered, Peja Stojakovic, Jose Barea and Brendan Haywood comb ined for five points. Nowitzki was adequate while Tyson Chandler had more fouls than rebounds. Miami actually shot poorly but found a way to win through their defense. The big three accounted for 70% of the Heat offense with key reserves Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller combining for 25 points. The Heat outrebounded the Mavs 46 – 35 and as Heat President Pat Riley said then, “No Rebounds, No Rings!” On to game 2.
The LADY SPIKERS Rejoice
