Paolo S. Mariano, Monday, August 08, 2011.
It was upset week in the UAAP as lightweight teams University of the Philippines (UP) and University of the East (UE) both notched rousing victories. Speaking of which, Ateneo de Manila University continued its ascendant romp this Season 74, finishing the first round with a squeaky clean record after chalking up its seventh straight win. Only a couple of games are left before the first round goes to the history books and all the competing teams are jockeying for better positions heading into the next stage.
2004
The year UP last won over Far Eastern University (FEU) prior to its 76-63 shocker last Thursday. With the victory, the Fighting Maroons snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Tamaraws. Bannered by the likes of Abby Santos, Toti Almeda, Nestor David, Josant Cervantes, and Marvin Cruz and coached by Lito Vergara, UP defeated FEU, 61-56, on August 28, 2004. FEU, the then defending champion, was led by Arwind Santos, Denok Miranda, RJ Rizada, and Mark Isip.
46
The number of fouls committed by Adamson University and De La Salle University in their game last Saturday. The referees went whistle-happy as the Soaring Falcons were called for 22 fouls, while the Green Archers incurred 24. Adamson shot 22 free throws, making 13 of them, while La Salle took 23, but only sank nine. Adamson’s Lionel Manyara and Rodney Brondial and La Salle’s Simon Atkins, fouled out of the game, which was won by the Soaring Falcons.
14.5
The average winning margin of Ateneo in the first round. The three-time defending champs have been nothing short of dominant in their opening round sweep, beating their opponents in convincing fashion. The Blue Eagles’ had two 20-point victories, the first against UP last July 30, and the second versus FEU yesterday. The closest win they had was a four-point hacking of Adamson in their season opener. Pretty safe to say, Ateneo’s title defense is on the right track.
4
The number of points scored by UE forward Adrian Santos in the last two minutes versus National University (NU). Talk about perfect timing. Those were the only points of Santos the entire game but they came when they mattered the most. The Red Warriors shattered a 10-point deficit in endgame to escape NU by the skin of their teeth, 72-71. The erstwhile languid Recto-based squad finally notched its first win of the season after dropping its first six assignments.
4
The number of imports in the league’s rebounding leaders. This year’s foreigners have really made their presence felt in the UAAP, especially on the boards. Cameroonian Karim Abdul of the University of Santo Tomas is the league’s second best rebounder with 9.5 a game. Nigerian Alinko Mbah of UP is fifth with 7.8 RPG. Another Cameroonian in Emmanuel Mbe of NU sits at the seventh spot with 7 RPG, while Kenyan Austin Manyara is at ninth place with 6.3 RPG.