SIMOUN SAYS: What’s More Obvious: DLSU’s Title Favorite Status or the Bad Calls on Momowei?

The theme of this week’s column is the obvious.

Recognizing what’s crystal clear is an essential human skill. Thunder rumbling in the distance? Bring your heavy-duty umbrella. The long line of cars as you approach a major street? Find another route ASAP. Early returns showing your opponent leading in battleground states? Get to work on your concession speech because you know what’s coming.

To me, the endgame of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament is plain as day: the De La Salle Green Archers are in an excellent position to retain their crown.

Their litmus test, of course, has been the stacked roster of the UP Fighting Maroons. While I argued that the outcome of their Round 1 matchup wasn’t quite valid—given the absence of King Maroon JD Cagulangan—I hardly see any caveats after their second faceoff in the elims.

Let’s keep things simple, shall we? UP has not beaten DLSU thus far this season, and if they’ve failed to figure out how to defeat the Archers in two tries, it’ll take a stretch of the imagination to conjure a scenario in which they knock off the defending champs in the Finals.

Did the absence of Quentin Millora-Brown have anything to do with the loss? Sorry, but I don’t think anyone in the UP community should lean on this as an excuse. As a matter of fact, the Maroons stepped up admirably to compensate for the enormous Q-shaped hole in the rebounding category. UP outworked DLSU on the boards 47-38, including a 17-10 advantage on the offensive glass.

(Thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Quentin. May your Angel soar high.)

Here’s where DLSU seized control of the game: shot-making, defense, and maturity.

• Throughout the game, the Archers were more creative on offense, whether it was drawing multiple defenders in the paint and kicking out to baseline shooters or going downhill off screens at the pinch post.

• In the pivotal third quarter—which is when UP usually wins the tactical game against its opponents—DLSU was on point with both their transition defense and their halfcourt man-to-man. As a result, the Cagulangan-heavy offense of the Maroons in that quarter was limited to eight points (compared to the Archers’ 17).

• Most impressively, when UP went on an 8-0 run to lead by 11 late in the 2nd quarter, DLSU stayed calm and collected. Led by Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips, the Archers cut the lead to one in just two minutes of game time. That’s championship composure right there.

At the moment, the scenario in which UP beats DLSU on the UAAP hardcourt remains hypothetical. The Archers, meanwhile, have notched two victories over their new rivals in the record books. To me, these victories offer rock-solid evidence that DLSU can outwit and outplay UP. It’s that simple, and it’s that obvious.

* * *

You know what else was obvious in my eyes? This.

If you’re scratching your head after hearing the referees’ verdict on Precious Momowei, know that many, many head-scratching moments have been happening since this past weekend.

Here’s what I can clearly see in both instances of Momowei’s unsportsmanlike fouls: The man was on his way down after a leaping motion. I’ve never played hoops at the professional level, but the last time I checked, you don’t have a ton of control over your anatomy and your faculties once gravity yanks you back to the ground.

Was Momowei intentionally trying to hit Mo Tounkara or Gelo Crisostomo? Your guess is as good as mine. If he did, though, he should consider joining the Avengers for being able to swing his elbows with such accurate timing to hit his targets.

Sarcasm aside, I did a little homework to validate my thoughts. In a November 2023 article published on Inquirer.net, Lance Agcaoili reported that the UAAP adhered to FIBA guidelines as the league ruled out an automatic Mark Nonoy suspension at the time. Because of this precedent, I checked out FIBA’s 2024 Official Basketball Rules to see how the basketball overlords define unsportsmanlike fouls.

What does the rulebook say? Article 37.1.1 states that an unsportsmanlike foul can be called when there is “excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.”

Upon reading this, the logical side of my brain—which does have its off days, mind you—kicked into overdrive. Despite the video footage apparently showing the unlikelihood of intent, the rulebook clearly penalizes players for excessive physical contact. The blood dripping from Tounkara’s nostrils and Crisostomo’s temple didn’t help Momowei’s case, either.

So what’s more obvious at this point: the status of DLSU as title favorites or the egregious nature of the calls on Momowei? Simoun says: the former.

The way things are looking, UP beating DLSU to reclaim the UAAP crown is improbable—not impossible. A concession speech inside a jam-packed arena is definitely not out of the question. Let’s see if it’ll be necessary.

As for UE’s Precious one, it appears that those calls aren’t as egregious as they appear. But, if I could have one parting shot, it’s this. Let Momowei play, for goodness’ sake.

By the Numbers

12

The number of points scored by the TNT Tropang Giga in their final Game 6 run ultimately sealed their defense of the PBA Governors’ Cup. There’s not much hero ball here—just some good ol’ fashioned on-ball and off-ball movement that speaks to the Tropa’s undeniable chemistry. Great call by PBA Rush commentator Carlo Pamintuan when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson swung the ball to his sweet-shooting teammate with 56 seconds left. “Pogoy, the killshot…IT’S THERE!!!”

20

The deficit was erased by the Mapua Cardinals in their sensational win over the College of Saint Benilde Blazers this past Sunday. The GMA coverage, however, might have taken away from the mystique of Clint Escamis’ booming triple to put the game away 75-73. Head over to the 2:11:18 mark of the video above and watch the reigning NCAA MVP’s feet as he gets to his spot and gathers the ball. I get why the refs swallowed their whistles, but I have to call it like I see it. That’s too many steps, folks.

Tweet of the Week

eleven. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/GEFyiUrTCN

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 10, 2024

Listen: When you’re the hottest team in the NBA, you can make all the pop culture references and questionable Photoshop decisions that you want. Tell Donovan Mitchell this was corny—go ahead, I dare you.