UP's shooting woes translate to easy NU win

UP MBT Game #2: July 26, 2012 - Araneta Coliseum

ANEMIC.

This word best describes the UP Fighting Maroons' offense in today's game against the UAAP Season 75 hosts, National University Bulldogs. After making just 22% of their shots in the first half and totaling 28 points after three quarters, the Maroons succumbed to the Bulldogs, 67-50.


The Bulldogs, fresh from a beatdown from defending champions Ateneo, were eager to disprove some social media comments about them being overrated after their lopsided loss last Sunday. They never trailed in this game and showcased why they are still among the title favorites for this season.


As for the Maroons, the 11 day interval in between games proved fatal for them as they jacked up a lot of bad shots from the get-go and looked as if they were not in good playing condition for majority of the game. It was ironic because it was Coach Ricky Dandan himself who tweeted after their game versus UST was postponed due to typhoon Ferdie that it would help them prepare more for this game. It seemed like they were out of their element for most of the game until the fourth quarter when the Maroons showed a lot more hustle and energy but to no avail.

The first quarter was a little close as NU led by only six, 16-10. However, the Bulldogs were able to capitalize on UP's unforced errors and abysmal shooting percentage in the second quarter and took a 24-point lead at the half, 42-18. The second period featured a 17-0 run by NU led by Bobby Ray Parks. However, it took the likes of Robin Rono, Jul-Ashri Ignacio and Troy Rosario to pad the lead to double figures.

Spitfire rookie pointguard Henry Asilum also hurt his nose in this quarter after colliding with Emmanuel Mbe. Asilum never returned to the game after the incident.

UP tried something different in the second half which I think they would (and they should) try some more in their next games.  Coach Dandan instructed his boys to use a 1-3-1 zone defense against the Bulldogs and somehow managed to trim the lead a bit. NU was forced to shoot jumpers which rarely hit their mark and even their short stabs at the basket were denied by the rim too.

However, gallant as this UP stand may be, they still entered the final quarter down by 24. The reason, their energy was mostly used up by defending and playing catch-up that they were also missing their point blank shots and long-range attempts.

Still, the Maroons exhibited the fighting monicker until the very end and was able to trim the lead down to 17 at the end of the game. The fourth quarter saw UP team captain Mike Silungan and returning Alinko Mbah bark at their teammates to play better defense and choose their shots well.

The Maroons continued the 1-3-1 zone and added a little bit of full court pressure to get steals and convert on the break or from the three-point territory. Jelo Montecastro and Jett Manuel took turns in helping ease the scoring load for Silungan in the fourth.

With the win, the Bulldogs now have a 2-1 win-loss card together with La Salle and Ateneo. The Maroons, were led by Silungan and Manuel with 11 points each and are now 0-2.

Overall, the Maroons failed to give themselves a fighting chance to win this game by squandering possessions either by turnovers or bad shot selection. They must find a way to start strong in their next games in order to at least have a shot at winning.

The 1-3-1 zone mentioned earlier looks very promising and I believe should be a constant in UP's next games. The offense would definitely take care of itself as UP is a team of role players who can all contribute at any given day, even with "star player" Silungan taking most of the shots.

They face the Adamson Soaring Falcons this Sunday (July 29, 2012), a team who also lost today to the Far Eastern University Tamarraws. The Falcons also have a 0-2 win-loss record.

Here's hoping that the Maroons get that monkey off their backs and grab that elusive first win on Sunday.

UP Fight!!!

(Photos taken from various Internet sources)