UAAP Scenes: Opening Weekend

Best of the Weekend. The ultimate collegiate battle ground has been baptized for the 77th time in the history of Philippine sports. This is thrilling enough to be placed as "Best of the Weekend", especially for freshmen college students looking for something cool (and 'in') for social media.

Photo courtesy of GMA News

Saturday Results. The UE Red Warriors butt-bared the UP Fighting Maroons, 87-59. The FEU Tamarraws upset the DLSU Green Archers, 82-77. 

Sunday Results. The Ateneo Blue Eagles out-flew the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 79-57. The NU Ray Parks crushed the UST Growling Tigers, 59-40.

Worst of the Weekend. I know a lot of people wouldn't mind spending long times reading this, so I'll sum it up in seven figures. UST Growling Tigers and their 25 turnovers.

Heir Tolomia. The FEU Tamarraws probably felt worst when they knew about them locking horns with the DLSU Green Archers -the team to beat this season- in the main game of opening day. But fierce as they are, coach Nash Racela's boys are up to the challenge. After receiving a few jabs in the first half, and scoring just 2 points, Mike Tolomia decided to bare his "Heir To Romeo" mode and dropped 21 in the 2nd half. Tolomia's zone spark ignited fellow Moraytans Mark Bello and Russell Escoto to pick up dirt piles and help bury the Archers down. Tolomia and Bello combined for 43 points to outbro Jeron Teng and Almond "36 minutes" Vosotros.   

Demolition Nationale. With Bobby Ray Parks exiting the premises of his Bustillos home, the NU Bulldogs crashed down in preseason ranks. This season, they are out to prove how wrong that is, and they started last Sunday. Their unknowing prey, the Growling Tigers of UST. Gelo Alolino took the reigns early and scored 13 points for NU. Big gun newcomer Alfred Aroga posted 8 points while dominating the paint and magnetizing UST's cotton candy defense, allowing Alolino and Jeth Rosario to do damage from the outside. NU forced UST to commit, submit, give in, give up, and other words synonyming to surrender, to 25 turnovers. The results were clear, the Bulldogs are as hungry as ever, and the Tigers, as crazy as it is, are in need of players in all positions not named Karim Abdul.

Wise Scheduling. I'm not sure about how the UAAP came up with their round 1 schedule, but the UE Warriors opening their season hosting against UP is plain wise. Hosts should win first games. That simple. Thanks to Gino Jumao-as offensive outburst, Moustapha Arafat's 15 gigantic rebounds, and Roi Sumang's 6 lead assists. No, Moustapha Arafat is not related to Simba.

Ravena Up, Ravena Down. I don't want to take away anything from Ateneo's blowout on Adamson, but only three things are noteworthy from that game. Keifer Ravena's 22-point explosion, Keifer Ravena's two monstrous dunks, and Thirdy Ravena's rookie jitters.

Best of the Weekend (Fashion Edition). Despite losing a close game against FEU, the DLSU coaching staff sported green jeans! No question, these pants are better than their second half defense. Runner up to these greenies twinnies is NU Bulldogs center Henri Betayene's in-game goggles. In an era filled with stylish and technological arm and leg sleeves, a pair of round and thick goggles can very well give us goggle giggles. So, sit down Aroga! 

Bits.

-I'm sure Roi Sumang's side burns will highlight at something this season. Wait and see.

-Turnovers trended last week. UST had 25, Roger Pogoy had 8.

-I'm a huge Nike fan, except for those Nike-made jerseys for DLSU, FEU, and Ateneo. Man, I wouldn't wear a jersey with our team name on my stomach, and my number on my pubis. Jeez.

-Kevin Ferrer posted un-Kevin Ferrer averages last Sunday. That includes 3.0 pukes.

-Aljon Mariano paid tribute to his jersey number in the worst possible time. 10 minutes lagging on defense, 10 points on 10% shooting. King Tiger.

-Those Adamson kids better grow up fast. That's per coach Kenneth Duremdes, who helped Marlou Aquino grow up a little faster. Marlou' son is playing under coach K.

-Anyway, we are just getting started. And no matter how long this season might be, I'm pretty sure there's always something that's longer. Right, NCAA?

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