Game Analysis: Xavier vs San Beda Championship Game

To me, numbers do not matter in games such as these. You can throw away all the statistics and just focus on one thing, heart. Championship games are decided by great players and teams who rise up to the occasion and play their hearts out even giving more than 100% even if its mathematically impossible. 

With Xavier's win today, it successfully defends its title and now for the first time in history are back-to-back champions in this prestigious tournament sponsored by Milo. Yes, a win is a win but as Coach Owen would always say, "the last day you learn is the day you die." Let us critique that game and see how well did the Stallions fare and how much do they have to improve. 

1. Height Advantage 

The Stallions did a good job in capitalizing their height advantage. They had numerous offensive rebounds which led to many second chance points and opportunities. Their height also anchored their numerous zone defenses with San Beda's players as it intimated them even before they attacked the ring. Their centers and forwards also were able to block numerous shots but sadly were called for too many ticky-tacky fouls in my opinion. 

2. Free Throws 

Last game, Xavier missed 21 free throws. Today, I honestly don't know. I didn't bother to take down stats of those because it was difficult and I wanted to personally enjoy the game and the championship atmosphere. Xavier definitely shot better than the Red Cubs and that is what distanced them from their opponents. 

3. FATE 

The championship was really for Xavier to lose. San Beda had countless opportunities to tie or even take the lead at the foul line but they couldn't make the baskets when it was necessary. Jarrell Lim would have to be regarded as the Savior as he nailed every conceivable shot from every conceivable angle when they needed it the most. That my friends is what a MVP is about! As the Essence of Winning suggests, we can win with a dominant performance from one player but without God's divine hand, I don't think we can do so. It was really our game to lose! 

4. Too many forced shots. Control the tempo. 

As mentioned above, Xavier had a big size advantage when it came down low. San Beda's players were only leveled to the shoulders of our own big men but I don't understand why we still force up difficult shots. Yes, by nature Xavier is really a run-and-gun team scoring most of their points from fastbreak opportunities but against a fast team like San Beda, you can't run all the time against them. Organized chaos, is what we need. We know when we should run and we should also know when it is the time to set and rely on our improving halfcourt game. 

5. Who is the alpha dog? 

Every player by nature wants to take over the game but at times he can't do it alone. You need to understand who to give the ball to when you need points. Coach Owen's system allows players to shoot open shots given at their own range but for one to be great you must know when to give the limelight to others. You should have shame when you continue to throw up bricks. Pass the ball, help in other aspects of the game! You should not be too centered on scoring especially in games like this! Team comes first! 

I hope the Stallions can have a deeper run in the Nationals and bag the championship with 15 strong! You have a long way to go guys but its a great start! Congratulations! You have successfully defended the crown and protected our house! 

One Year Anniversary: 09.12.10

A year ago on this very day, on the brink of losing the championship because of my bad play, I looked up in the sky and talked to God. "Thy will be done", the words I uttered patiently while warming my behind on the bench. I am thankful that Coach Owen gave me another chance in overtime to play despite my horrendous game. At first, I felt embarrassed since I felt I let my team down and but coming to think of it, its God's way of giving me vindication and redemption. 

After nailing to those two shots, it felt like the weight on my shoulders just disappeared as I run down the court with my arms spread out wide just like the Jet. Time running down, the anxiety, the hardships and the fatigue all gone, and once the buzzer sounded, its the greatest feeling in the world. That feeling is can't be described with any verb or adjective. 

To this day, that is my most memorable game. Even if I played atrociously in the start, it goes to show that God truly has a purpose for us. Its not how we start but how we finish. All those hours spent in the basketball court running suicides, all the time spent shooting free throws, all the sweat and tears are just distant memories of our past. For the entire year, we were champions. 

How has that game changed my perception of life? It has motivated me to become a better basketball person and a better student in school. Although I don't seem like a honest nerd who studies day and night, I do my best, hopefully. It has challenged me to be more positive. As a great emperor once said, "This too shall pass". Lastly, it has deepen my faith on God. "Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful", Joshua J. Marine once said. God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us. We just have to seek his guidance and its His will that will be done. 

A message for the Passerelle boys who will play in arguably the biggest game of their lives. Just think positive and play your game. Don't let the crowd rattle you. You have to play the game with ice in your veins and be calm. Lastly, seek the guidance from above and it is through him all of us succeed! 

Xavier Trounces Tiger Cubs in Passerelle Quarters

With the championship hopes of Xavier in the balance, Isaac Go grabs his own miss, goes up strong and makes a putback. That basket was the turning point of the game when Xavier, after trailing as much as 8 points tied the game and never looked back as it trounced a pesky UST squad, 58-44.

Xavier’s 1^st quarter unit drew first blood after a split from the charity stripe by Jacob Ejercito and afterwards, they couldn’t seem to buy a basket both inside and outside. The Tiger Cubs, despite committing numerous turnovers, managed to score and break the Stallions daunting man-to-man press and even a variety of its zone presses.

During the 2^nd quarter, the Golden Stallions tried to capitalize on UST’s 4-man team since one of the players was injured but Alaska Jr. NBA Youth Ambassador Jarrell Lim struggled immensely as he just arrived from Hong Kong the morning of the game. This did not stop him from contributing, as he became a facilitator finishing with a game-high, 5 assists. Freshman Center Aldrich Tan was the recipient of most of Lim’s passes and was a revelation inside the paint scoring a game-high 15 points in an impressive 7 of 10 shooting from the field.  Despite the lack of players on the opposing side and the Lim-Tan inside-out combination, the Tiger Cubs still led 21-28 in halftime.

After an encouraging message from Head Coach Owen Oliva during the short halftime break, the shock troopers of Coach O responded with a 15-0 run to start the quarter and finally grab their first taste of the lead ever since the opening tip. RP Youth U-16 mainstay, Isaac Go was a beast on both ends of the court as he finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and a game-high 4 blocks despite staying on the opposite end of the court for most of the game. Point Guard Anton Lapez controlled the tempo of the game finding his teammates for quality shots but when it was necessary, he was willing to score, finishing with 8 points. The Stallions limited UST to just 4 points in this quarter and their defense changed the complexion of the game.

The final canto was a slugfest with both teams exchanging baskets and verbal jabs. The Stallions didn’t allow their UST counterparts to tick them off their game and they continued the relentless attack.

The Stallions continue their defense of the Passerelle crown as they will take on most probably La Salle Greenhills next week in the Semi-Finals. Bad blood is expected from both teams as La Salle eliminated Xavier two of the last three years and Xavier demolished the Green Archers last year en-route to their second Passerelle crown in 4 years.

This Too Shall Pass

After a bad loss today, I just remembered a story that someone shared me when I was in Singapore. 

There was once a great Chinese Emperor. When his reign started, he wanted to become a great Emperor but didn't know how to. So he consulted a wise man who lived up in the mountains. They talked for days and days and when the Emperor came down, he brought with him a small rock. No one knows what is inscribed in that rock. Every night before the Emperor slept, he looked at the rock and peacefully hid it under his pillow. In times of great triumph, he looked at the rock. In times of great distress, he looked at the rock. 

When the Emperor died, as people in the palace were savaging through his belongings, they came upon that certain rock and inscribed there was, "This too shall pass". Those words made the Emperor become great because when he was riding on momentum, it made him stay humble and made him realize that tomorrow is a new day with new challenges and obstacles. On the other hand, when he feels down and in distress, he turns to that passage which in turn gives him hope for a better tomorrow. 

This statement should running in each and everyone of us. Everything has its own time and purpose. Although at times things are not given to us on a silver platter, it challenges us to work doubly hard to attain and achieve our goals. Once we our in our darkest hour, it gives us hope for a new day, and to be the ones to change our fate! Nothing is going to stop a Man on a Mission.