The Week That Was Season 2: Week 12 (September 9-15)

type='html'>

The events that took place this past week mixed up the NCAA and the UAAP a lot. An upset, a slam-bang scoring affair, and a slam dunk highlight the 12th installment of TWTW.

5. It's the NCAA Finals... in the V-League!

NCAA's renaissance has definitely begun, even in the Shakey's V-League

While everybody's focused on college basketball, a historic event was set up in another sport. For the first time since the institution of the Shakey's V-League, two NCAA teams clash in the Open Conference Finals there. Reigning NCAA champs Cagayan-Perpetual Help Rising Suns collide with rivals Sandugo-San Sebastian Lady Conquerors in the three-game series starting tonight. The Lady Conquerors needed a little effort before knocking off Ateneo in their semifinal showdown, while the Rising Suns upset the erstwhile Open Cup champs Army in the other Final 4 clash. You can read my take on the finals here.

4. Seriously, NU, What Happened?

After knocking the De La Salle Green Archers out of the Final 4 as it stands, the NU Bulldogs found themselves fighting the Ateneo Blue Eagles again. Looking to avenge their crushing loss in their meeting, the Bulldogs had a good first half, leading by 2 at the break. But things got nasty in the 2nd half for NU. The Bulldogs struggled all 3rd and 4th quarters long as Ateneo, thanks to big guy Greg Slaughter, pull away in the end, blowing NU out, 70-56. NU was held to only 23 points in the last 20 minutes and turned the ball over 14 times, worse than the already awful 9 they committed in the first half. Just like that, NU lost a chance to pull away in the Final 4 race as they tied La Salle again for 4th. NU will play UP tomorrow, while La Salle faces FEU in the next game. The only thing more intriguing than the final scoreline is this photo taken by Kristine Villegas:

The referees ruled that Jeoff Javillonar's shot was made in the nick of time, but
it seems like there's something wrong.

3. Spoiler Alert

Nate Matute failed to deliver in the end as Lyceum thwarted JRU's playoff plans.

Already out of playoff contention and even missing the services of six players due to either academic matters, suspension, and sickness, the Lyceum Pirates pulled off the week's biggest upset as they thumped the JRU Heavy Bombers in overtime, 69-62. Playing with nothing to lose, Lyceum hacked out a big one against JRU, who are eyeing a spot in the semifinals. Gian Mallari was the game's best player with 15 points. Although Nate Matute had a good game as well (also scoring 15), it was not enough as JRU used up all their remaining petrol in their tanks to force the extra five minutes, only to be blown out in that session by Lyceum, 13-6.

2. As It Stands, It's Letran!

Last time around, it was K-Ace. This time, it's K-Rax!

That Lyceum shocker set up Letran's successful pursuit of stealing 4th place from JRU. The Knights, my team of the week, crushed the San Sebastian Golden Stags, 82-67, earlier to put themselves a half-game clear of the Bombers for fourth. Kevin Alas exploded for 23 points before fouling out at the 2-minute warning, but it was K-Ace's support crew that made the way this time around. Kevin Racal added 18, Mark Cruz had 14, and Jam Cortes made 10 for the Knights as they bucked off a slow start to trounce the Stags, featuring Calvin Abueva's 27 points. The missing link for Baste, however, was Ronald Pascual, who was limited to only 6 points. The Golden Stags missed a chance of clinching a Final 4 berth this early. As it stands, i.e. if the season ends today, First placers San Beda, who crushed EAC in the earlier game, will battle Letran, while San Sebastian meets Perpetual Help in the other semifinal affair.

1. The Kiefer Posterizer

I don't usually put a single play as the top story of the week, but this play is too wicked that I forgot that there was a soccer game featuring the Philippine Malditas and Gilas Pilipinas vs. Lebanon in the FIBA Asia Cup. I know everyone was moved by this nasty dunk. The nastier story, it was Kiefer Ravena, who stands generously at 6'0", who turned Karim Abdul, a 6'7" big guy, into a fluke in this juncture. Even nastier than that, it came during an all-important game for both Ateneo and UST. Ateneo won the game, 68-66, to secure the twice-to-beat edge come the Final 4, but UST, thinking that a goaltending call against Abdul was a clear block, put the game under protest. Alright, UAAP Board, nullify the game if you want, but we will never forget this slam by Ravena. I found a higher quality video of the dunk. If you missed that posterizer, relive it here:

Games for the Week

Sunday (September 16)

2:00 PM-NU vs. UP

4:00 PM-FEU vs. DLSU

Monday

4:00 PM-MIT vs. UPHSD

6:00 PM-JRU vs. CSB

Thursday

2:00 PM-UST vs. UE

4:00 PM-AdU vs. DLSU

4:00 PM-AU vs. SBC

6:00 PM-LPU vs. EAC

Saturday

4:00 PM-EAC vs. CSB

6:00 PM-CSJL vs. JRU

Sunday (September 23)
4:00 PM-FEU vs. NU