BASKETBALL REFLECTIONS: Clustering of Teams
By Randy Sacdalan, Guest Columnist
12 August 2009 09:30 PM
(Randy Sacdalan is a senior analyst in the Studio 23's Coverage
Panel of the UAAP. His Basketball Reflections is a weekly column in
this site.)
Now that the first round is over and the teams are gearing up to make the adjustments for the next round, it is quite interesting to note that the eight teams can be classified into three clusters namely: Keep it up group; Stuck in the middle; and Win or Bust Cluster.
Keep It Up Group
This cluster is made up of the Eagles and Tamaraws. Expected to dominate their opponents, these two schools played to the letter and as advertised. Perceived in the pre-season to lock themselves into 1 and 2, ADMU got their only bump from an inspired UP squad one Sunday afternoon while FEU was tormented by the defending champions on their first game of the season. The good thing about that loss of ADMU was it checked its armor of invincibility and the team that gored them is probably a long shot to crowd them for a final four slot. FEU, on the other hand, was given a wake up call that winning a game is playing it and not simply showing up and this loss came early in the tournament.
Prescriptions for the 2nd round for the Keep It Up Group: 1) maintain dominance of the rest of the competition; 2) play with intensity and never go into complacency; 3) involve the bench in sharpening their game; 4) avoid surprise ambushes from unexpected predators (losses from teams with losing record); and if possible stay away from injuries that might ruin the rotation of personnel.
Stuck in the Middle
This cluster is made up of UE, UST, and DLSU all toting 4-3 win loss records. Common denominator: all have lost their games against ADMU and FEU. More than winning over teams in the lower echelon, it is critical to note their inability to get past the top two teams. It could mean that they are just battling for a spot in the final four and the highest they can reach at the end of the tournament is third place. The other loss for these teams are to each other: UE winning over DLSU; DLSU shooting down UST; and UST prevailing over UE. And even their games against the “other” teams cannot be said to be walkovers. UE and DLSU walked the tight rope against ADU in fashioning overtime wins while UST won shakily over the Falcons. Fortunes against UP and NU are contrasting for these teams but wins nevertheless.
Prescriptions for the 2nd round: 1) repeat over UP, NU, and ADU; 2) strike over the two teams in the stuck in the middle cluster; and 3) win over ADMU or FEU or surprise them both. Anything less than the aforementioned may invite a situation necessitating a knock out game or at worst waiting for the other teams to falter in which case their destiny is dictated by the fortunes of the other teams.
Win or Bust
UP and ADU can only raise their win loss record to 8-6, and NU with 9-5. Two losses in the 2nd round could mean the slightest of hope and a sight to an exit sign while a third loss could eventually bid season 72 goodbye. These teams are tasked to play their A games every game day and reverse their fortunes from misery to jackpot. A long journey begins with a single step and to approach the tournament at this point one game at a time is a realistic assessment.
Prescriptions: 1) win the first few games in the 2nd round to gain momentum; 2) never lose sight of the super ordinate goal of reaching the Final Four; 3) keep in mind that it is how you play the game and not to ponder on the valence of the result; and 4) when all else is lost, give a good account of yourself.
Student-athletes waging wars for the coveted crown of Season 72, you’ve got to kick your game a notch higher in the second round. The things I mentioned are easier said than done but the bottom line is you’ve got to get it done.
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