UP Fighting Maroons - Season 72, Game 1

UP sucks and I paid to watch it. Maroons lost their opening game against a young NU team trailing by as much as 26 points at a particular stretch. They made it a bit respectable at the end but there are no silver linings in a loss (specially in a supposedly tight race this season). Had some hope in finally making it to the final four since most teams are rebuilding and the UP guys should have mature games by now since they have a core of juniors and seniors, but hell no! I hope we are not looking at another 0-14 season.

Im no basketball expert but im free to give my opinion in my own blog. Here's my analysis:
- Center Magi Sison has no low post moves, hates to bang bodies in the paint and loves the outside shot, which he is not very good at. I mean after maybe taking 3 or 4 outside shots and nothings going in, maybe you can take it in a little closer since you are 6'6" and being guarded by a relatively smaller person who is not necessarily more massive. If you still like doing the 3, then polish up on your dribbling and passing skills so you can be converted to a 6'6" Point Guard.
- Alvin Padilla lost steam in the end. The guy was amazing at the start. Looking at his attempts, you know they will go in. Unfortunately, he couldnt sustain it and gradually disappeared by middle of the 2nd quearter. Add to that the foul trouble and the successive turnovers which resulted to diminished confidence and aggressiveness. Hope they can condition him better for the next 13 games.
- Point guards sucked. At least for this game, they did. Turn over after another. You can see the turnover happening before it even begins because passes are weak or too strong, the angle not so great, and you can already see that the dogs have anticipated it. In fairness, you can see that Mikee Reyes does have some moves and with a few more games or seasons, I think he will be good. Hopefully, he grows some more inches and pounds. But for now, they suck because UP had 37 turnovers.
- Veterans are still inconsistent. Martin Reyes and Woody Co, you guys are the King Parrots, what happened?
- No go to guy. We dont need a star (but one would be nice) but there should be someone creating shots and opportunities for others. Padilla, judging by his gam, should fit the bill since he can handle the ball, drive and pass. He did this and it resulted to an easy bucket. Wish they could do this more. Magi can just lurk around the paint and anticipate a drop pass for easy pickings.
- Crucial point - trailing by 7 or 5 points in the 3rd, the maroons had a steal and had a 4 on 2 break. Juruena the rookie, dribbled the ball upcourt. You can already feel trouble happening because he is big guy and a rookie dribbling the ball on the break. Somewhere in the shaded lane, he was torn between going all the way or passing to the wings. In the end, he hesitated and passed it to the left, dishing out a weak above the shoulder, behind the head pass---which was intercepted ofcourse leading to a fastbreak on the other end. 4-point swing, momentum swing, end of game.

Despite the loss, there's still hope looking forward. Afterall, this NU win and their hot 3-pt shooting MIGHT be a fluke (but then again, maybe not). I mean even the best basketball teams lose so what more for an average team. That's what you call school spirit (but spirits cant play:)

For now, lets hope UP will do better as they battle Adamson next.