First Quarter Report: Hits in UAAP Season 75
We have reached approximately the end of the first quarter of UAAP Season 75, a period that has seen some hits and misses that we failed to see coming into the 2012 edition of the country's most popular collegiate athletic league.
Let's look back at some of the best and worst performances of the first three weeks of what is turning out to be an exciting season:
THE HITS
THE TAMS CHARGE TO THE TOP
Nobody penned the Tamaraws occupying the summit after one quarter of UAAP basketball. Pundits deemed the loss of big man Aldrech Ramos and veterans Ping Exciminiano, Jens Knuttel and JR Cawaling too much for the Morayta-based squad to overcome.
Alas, the Green and Gold are riding a four-game winning streak that is impressive simply because of the heart these FEU cagers have shown, especially in their first three matches, games that they won by an average of – this is not a typo – two points.
The Tamaraws' amazing tandem of Terrence Romeo and Ryan Roose Garcia has worked wonders so far, with the two combining for 30.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 9.3 assists while shooting an impressive 43.1 percent from the field.
Their new frontcourt duo, Anthony Hargrove and Arvie Bringas, has also played well enough to contribute to FEU's hot start as the two have teamed up to post 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks to more than make up for the loss of Ramos.
Things are bound to get harder for the Tamaraws – as a matter of fact, they have yet to face erstwhile title favorites National University and Ateneo de Manila University in the first round.
'MAGIC' WORKS HIS MAGIC
Tiongson played sparingly in his first three years in the UAAP, coming off the bench behind more heralded teammates in Erik Salamat and Emman Monfort.
Things did not look particularly bright for the man they call "Magic" when Monfort left the team, with some pegging transferee Nico Elorde into the starting pot that the "Pocket Rocket" vacated.
But Tiongson got Coach Norman Black's nod when the season started and the pint-sized playmaker has not disappointed so far, averaging Rajon Rondo Lite-like numbers (6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assist and 1.3 steals in 26.3 minutes) as he has directed the Blue Eagles to a 3-1 start.
Tiongson was a picture of Swiss knife precision in their first three games (even sparking Ateneo's runaway win over NU) and despite a so-so outing against La Salle last Saturday, "Magic" has proven that he has the cojones and the talent to man the most important position in the Eagles' Drive for Five.
ROI ON A ROLL
As expected, University of the East is currently languishing down the cellar with a familiar roommate: the University of the Philippines.
The Red Warriors have played excruciatingly bad basketball for the most part and to tell you frankly, have sophomore speedster Roi Sumang as their lone bright spot so far.
Hampered by knee problems last year, Sumang wasn't able to dish out explosive performance after explosive performance. But with the injuries seemingly behind him, the ex-Letran Squire has wowed fans and non-supporters alike with his quickness, agility and wit.
Sumang is second in the league in scoring with 19 points an outing and has had his share of moves worthy of the highlight reel. His killer crossovers and ankle-breakers notwithstanding, the cat-quick court general (5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals) has evolved into one of the three best point guards in the UAAP right now.
However, if UE intends to climb out of the rut they are in, it would be better if Sumang gets more help from his 15 other teammates – something only seen in spurts over the past three weeks.
Tomorrow: the MISSES
