UAAP Final Four Preview: UP vs. UST, NU vs. DLSU
Time and time again in UAAP Season 88, this stark reality hit us: It’s anybody’s game.
After all the projections of a Finals threequel and the expectations for certain teams feeling more like a floor than a ceiling, UAAP fans had the pleasure of watching a league with—what’s the term I’m looking for—competitive balance. This isn’t a subjective observation based on “the eye test,” folks. The standings and logistics speak for themselves.
When you have first-time UAAP Commissioner Jai Reyes bracing himself for the possibility that Game 3 of the Finals would be a Jose Mari Chan song away from Christmas, you know you’re watching a league that has achieved a great deal of parity.
As we stand on the brink of the Final Four, I can only think of one answer to the question of which teams will advance: “Hell if I know.” Before these four squads wage war on Wednesday, let’s take a closer look at each heavyweight matchup.
#2 UP Fighting Maroons vs. #3 UST Growling Tigers
Insights From the UAAP Elims
When the UP Fighting Maroons and the UST Growling Tigers met on opening weekend, they were vastly different teams. On the one hand, the Maroons appeared to be fighting both a championship hangover and an alleged “QPav Curse” as they looked sluggish on both ends of the floor. On the other hand, the Growling Tigers were missing the services of Forthsky Padrigao, and they didn’t get stellar games from Nic Cabañero (9 points on 4-for-11 shooting) and Gelo Crisostomo (8 points, 7 rebounds, 0-for-1 from deep).
But then, Collins Akowe happened.
Fans and pundits didn’t quite know what to make of the former NU-Nazareth School behemoth prior to September 21. Would he eat opponents alive on the get-go, or would he take time to adjust to the seniors division? In that Round 1 matchup, Akowe showed that he wasn’t messing around by putting up 29 points and 17 rebounds as UST thrashed UP, 87-67.
The defending champions, however, would exact revenge on November 5. Heading into that game, UP had won six of their last seven games; meanwhile, though the likes of Cabañero, Padrigao, Crisostomo, and Kyle Paranada had displayed great chemistry with Akowe, the Growling Tigers were on the wrong end of a three-game skid.
For the Maroons to contend with Akowe’s might, head coach Goldwyn Monteverde employed a small-ball approach that banked on the two Miguels (Yñiguez and Palanca) more than usual starter Francis Nnoruka. With a faster lineup on the floor, UP sped up the pace and limited Akowe’s effectiveness en route to an 89-88 victory.
Top of Mind
In the elimination round, the Growling Tigers were the most potent scoring team by a mile. Shooters like Paranada, Cabañero, and Amiel Acido are confidently jacking up threes and midrange jumpers, knowing that Akowe and Crisostomo can clean up any mess by grabbing rebounds.
If bigs like Nnoruka, Gani Stevens, and the reinvigorated Sean Alter don’t crash the boards for UP, the best rebounding team in the league will get even more opportunities to score. The battle of the boards will also unlock the Maroons’ vaunted fastbreak offense, which was a driving force behind their success in the elims.
What We Might Be Sleeping On
Pay attention to the free throws on Wednesday, folks. In Round 1, UST took 37 free throws and made 25 of them. Akowe, who set up camp on the charity stripe as UP’s interior defense constantly faltered, went 11-for-21 by his lonesome. In Round 2, Akowe didn’t get things going with his free throws as early as he would have wanted to, and UST shot 28-for-52 in a game they lost by one point.
One X-Factor, One Sentence to Explain
UST: Amiel Acido. Because his outside shooting gives Akowe more space to operate, and his size can bother UP’s guards.
UP: Jacob Bayla. Because he might just be the second coming of Gabe Norwood.
#1 NU Bulldogs vs. #4 DLSU Green Archers
Insights From the UAAP Elims
On October 12, the superstars of Taft and Jhocson came out to play in a thrilling affair between NU and DLSU. Jacob Cortez (15 points, 45.5% FG shooting) and Mike Phillips (15 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals) helped the Green Archers erect a six-point lead at the end of three quarters. But, in the final frame, Jake Figueroa (18 points on 8-for-10 shooting, 8 rebounds) proved yet again that his time as the Bulldogs’ main man had come.
NU would fend off La Salle with an 82-78 victory, which was marred by the Gelo Santiago collision that led to Mason Amos’ MCL injury. When the two teams met up again on All Souls’ Day, the Archers had to buck the absence of both Amos and Kean Baclaan, whose MCL tear brought his season to an end. Sweet-shooting Earl Abadam and energetic forward Luis Pablo stepped up for La Salle, but graduating guard Nash Enriquez (16 points, 4-for-4 from distance) led NU on both ends of the floor. With their 75-67 victory on November 2, NU became the only team this season to hang two elimination-round losses on La Salle.
Top of Mind
NU is in the top two of several categories in both offense and defense. This includes total points allowed (66.9 opponents’ points per game, second behind Adamson) and points in the paint allowed (also second behind the Soaring Falcons). This latter category is particularly interesting, as the Green Archers are number two in terms of inside scoring. Will Omar John, PJ Palacielo, and Kenshin Padrones be able to counteract the paint touches of Phillips, Cortez, and Pablo?
Attention should also be given to the turnover situation. The Bulldogs are the worst team in the league in terms of committing errors—an unsightly 16.1 turnovers per game. This plays right into La Salle’s hands, as the Green Archers are second in turnover points. DLSU can force a Game 2 if they get the right read on NU’s plays and capitalize in transition.
What We Might Be Sleeping On
You thought I was going to say free throws, right? Here’s something else to chew on in this matchup: bench performance. The Bulldogs’ second and third unit, which features Palacielo, Padrones, Jolo Manansala, and newly-established stopper Bobby Mark Parks, gives NU the second-best bench in terms of scoring this season. Meanwhile, the Green Archers—who have Amos and Pablo leading reserves like EJ Gollena and Doy Dungo—are second in the UAAP in terms of limiting bench points. Something has to give.
One X-Factor, One Sentence to Explain
NU: Nash Enriquez. Because he can set the tone for the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor.
DLSU: Vhoris Marasigan. Because this dude has figured out his offense, and his confidence has picked up at the best time possible.
Read more of Simoun’s features for ALL-STAR here.
