Losing Early or Losing Late?

I’ve been meaning to tackle this issue for the NCAA for like three weeks already. But well, the UAAP has more drama than the country’s oldest collegiate league. The top tier teams have been dropping very winnable games lately with the exception of San Beda, who has been taking care of business since that loss to Letran.

Look at Letran being pummeled to submission by EAC and Lyceum. Or Perpetual losing as well to EAC. Not that I am writing off EAC from the Final Four, but see, the Generals aren’t built well to steamroll contenders just yet. They still are in the course of finding out how each other plays off of who, tendencies and the like. They sometimes space so bad for Noubi Happi to be able to operate. But that is beside the point.

Is it a case of peaking too early for Letran and Perpetual as San Beda silently chugged along to the top? Or is it a good sign that they are seeing holes that can be patched up just in time for the Final Four? I’d like to believe more of the latter.

It’s never too good to go on an unbeaten run only to stumble when it matters most. Just ask the UE Red Warriors that featured Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu, Paul Lee and Mark Borboran, among others. They went 14-0 and tore up everyone in the UAAP. They looked invincible then. No one could seemingly beat them. They were given a free pass to the Finals only to be swept by the returning De la Salle Green Archers behind JVee Casio.

The only team to have successfully swept the regular season and win the championship since the Final Four era was introduced in college basketball was Letran’s bitter rival, San Beda. Back then, the Red Lions just powered through everyone else. When it seemed that teams have figured out how they play after seeing them in the first round, they just took it up a notch higher, surprising their opponents after lulling them.

Better yet, look what losing early, but not badly, in the season is doing for UST. They’ve been solid after patching up their holes en route to a Final Four ticket. It’s what I mean by mabuti nang matalo nang maaga. It’s not to spite. Rather, it should be a sign that there are still things to fix. That not everything is perfect.

However, the drawback is only true basketball fans would understand. Yes, we want a perfect season for our teams. But that won’t happen. Once in a blue moon it will, yes, but I’d rather go with some losses than a perfect record than lose so bad in the Finals because of overconfidence, which will hurt more.

I don’t want my team to end up like the UE Red Warriors of Mark Borboran. Imagine the horror of having to sleep through sweeping the regular season only to falter when it mattered most.

Do you?

If you don’t, then take your lumps and move forward. Be a thinking fan. Not just some diehard who barks at people when you think they are stepping and squishing your school in the mud when in fact they are not.

P.S.

We’re not doing this just to be popular. Our “fans” and readers are the ones sharing our stories. We just thank you for giving not minding whether to pour on the hate or not. I would not personally stoop down to your level. Not my fault you get hurt about honest comments.

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