Ateneo Defeats La Salle Twice In A Week

For the second time in a week, the Ateneo Blue Eagles defeated the De La Salle Green Archers.  In their first match of the season last week, Ateneo escaped with a narrow four point victory over La Salle with a final score of 76-72 in OT.  In their second meeting of the season, however, the Blue Eagles showed their basketball prowess by posting an 81-65 win over Green Archers.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but that’s how it goes.  I was only able to watch snippets of the last game and it was clear why Ateneo is on top.  Their execution and playmaking was way better than La Salle’s.  The Archers, on the other hand, played lazily and lacked heart.  Though I’m a Lasallian, I’d be the first to admit that I saw more aggresiveness in Ateneo, their desire to win was smoothly translated into their play by play execution. 

La Salle’s chances of getting into the Final Four just got slimmer after their previous setbacks.  Of course, I’m still rooting for my team to win and at least enter the Final Four this season.  But the Green Archers need more than their mediocre plays and sloppy executions to win games.  Of course, Franz Pumaren’s magic will always be a big factor, but if the players can’tget their acts together, La Salle would surely be in deep sh*t. 

Kudos to Ateneo taking the two season games against us, but I believe that La Salle would always find ways to bounce back. 

Keep it green, guys!

 

-fouledout

Y! Fantasy League Results

Finished third in the yahoo sports fantasy league.  It’s a bittersweet feeling because my team was number one for the entire season.  I just slid down to the third spot on the final week of the season. What a heartbreaker.  Well I’m also happy because this is my first fantasy league trophy, though it’s third place, a trophy is a trophy.

-fouledout

Thoughts on NBA Finals

It’s been a while since I posted an entry here in my site.  The NBA Finals already rolled out and the L.A. Lakers are already up by one game against the Orlando Magic.  Since I already missed covering the playoffs, I guessed I’ll just try my best to write about the Finals as much as I could, though I doubt it because of my internet connection difficulties.  But since I might have a thing or two to say about the Finals, I’ll try my best to post something at least until the Finals is over.

First, Jameer Nelson’s back in the game and I think this can bring some pros and cons with the current play of the Magic.  Nelson missed the latter part of the season leading to the playoffs due to a shoulder injury.  To make up for his supposedly “season-ending” injury, Orlando acquired Rafer Alston.  Without Nelson, Alston made use of the time allotted for him and helped the Magic pile up wins in the post-season, including the ousting of Lebron James and the Cavaliers.  Now that the Magic are deep in the playoffs, (actually in the Finals), Nelson announces his return and puts Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy in a very tricky situation.

There are two situations that can happen once Nelson settles in the lineup and gets into the rotation.  Nelson can either put Magic’s chemistry out of sync, or he can be a spark plug where his team can get an extra boost.

Depending on how Van Gundy handles the situation, Nelson’s return can either make or break Magic’s run for the NBA title.

Second point, I believe Kobe Bryant let it all out on the first game and tallied 40 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.  Kobe will always be Kobe, most especially in the Finals.  Orlando should realize that.  Providing coverage for Kobe should be a main concern for Orlando.  Courtney Lee showed some on-court savvy, but the rookie is clearly no-match against Bryant.  I expect to see more of Mickael Pietrus in the rotation to provide coverage for Bryant.  Dwight Howard might be able to hold the fort in the middle against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but once Kobe unleashes hell from the outside, that’s a different story.  Providing as much defense against Kobe should be the main concern for Magic if they intend to win in the series.

That’s about it for now.  I’ll try to come up with something sometime this week.  I have been looking to write something about the Boston Celtics since their playoff exit, but I still haven’t found the time.  One of these days I’ll come up with it, I hope.

Looking forward to a great championship series.  Cheers to all Lakers fans for the game 1 win.

-fouledout