4 points to take from UAAP Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — This past UAAP Wednesday, we saw four teams – all coming off losses battle. Unfortunately, there can be only two winners. And this was one of the more exciting game days as both matches were decided in the final play. UP survived UST, 71-69, while La Salle weather a furious comeback by FEU to eke out a 75-71 victory.

Here are four points to take from those two matches.

Another poor start from FEU eventually hurt their chances

Yes, the Tamaraws had a shot to tie or win the game but they once more put themselves in that position where they had to come from behind. They played haphazardly and turned the ball over a lot. While La Salle had their share of miscues and both sides were even at 23 a piece in terms of turnover points, FEU’s also came at a late time. 

Three turnovers each from the primary ball carriers in Jasper Parker, Axel Iñigo and Hubert Cani didn’t help and were eventually costly. The lack of stability saw La Salle answer all their runs with one of their own. 

As I have said, this is a learning curve for this team with its mix of veterans and newcomers. Not to mention the new system installed by Olsen Racela that is a mix between the dribble drive and triangle offense. The fact that JR Ramirez has been largely ineffective shows that UAAP ball is a different level.

Ricci Rivero is ready to make this his team

I have no idea why people (and television analysts) keep bringing up Jeron Teng’s absence. Dudes, he already played out his eligibility. In scholastic sports, you chance personnel every year or few years. They have practiced and played without him for the last 10-plus months so this isn’t something new. It’s is just putting the parts together. If La Salle didn’t have Ben Mbala, they’d be like FEU too. 

Ricci Rivero stepped into the starting lineup all this time and has delivered. Dating back to the summer leagues, he has become better and better. If you ask me, he is better at Jeron in finishing because the latter would get called for a lot of offensive fouls. Ricci knows how to side step, glide, and finish. Rivero has overtaken his older brother, Prince, and is a much better all-around player. 

That was another tough loss by UST

A massive understatement. Same story. They hang in there. They hurt themselves with turnovers, sloppy play, and even worse decision-making with the basketball. Yet at the end of it all, they are still in a position to win it. Think about how good this team could be. While many are increasingly pointing to the coaching staff for their travails (and I will agree to a certain point but not all) … ultimately, the culprit this team is just a little too young. They will be much better next year. Well, that is if they can keep some players who won’t be affected by that age rule.

It’s an unimpressive win but it gets UP out of the rut

If UST didn’t have this tendency to shoot themselves in the foot (and uncannily not at the basket), UP would be down in the standings along with UE. It is nice to see some players come in and chip in to the overall effort. Janjan Jaboneta did his share. So did Gelo Vito. But Ibrahim Ouattara saved the day for them with his putbacks. 

This is a big win because up next is La Salle. Oh you bet they will be plenty motivated. If UP plays the way they did against the Green Archers last time around, then this win versus UST might have resurrected their season.