Ateneo just suffered a heartbreaking loss to FEU (69-72), in our very first game of the season. Overall, the game was great. The fight was really close and as the commentators said, it was almost like a finals game.
I really, really, really hoped Nico Salva’s shot went in and extended the game (OT), it would have given the Blue Eagles one more chance to turn the game around. But I guess, some things just have to happen, some losses are actually “essential.”
I remembered season 71 (2008). It was St. Ignatius Day, July 31, a Thursday. Since we didn’t have classes, I was able to watch the game live. Ateneo also played against FEU that time, and we also lost.
But it sort of served as a “wake up call” at that time. It proved it was better to lose earlier in the season, get pumped up more, feel the pressure grow stronger, and keep things grounded. At least the team’s going to have time to improve.
At the end of the season 71, Ateneo won the championship game against archrival La Salle. We celebrated with that one big bonfire at the “extra-muddy” Bellarmine field. haha!
What I’m trying to say is, this loss was heartbreaking, yes. But it’s just the first game! There’s still a whole season right ahead of us.
I almost thought we were gonna have another buzzer beater to redeem the game. Sort of like Doug Kramer’s back in season 69 (championship game 1) and Kirk Long’s in season 70, both against UST. But that didn’t happen today, and it’s okay. 🙂
The game was great, props to both teams. Art De la Cruz looks promising, Ryan Buenafe sure still got it, Nico Salva made some pretty amazing shots, too. FEU also has a lot of great players, RR Garcia, Paul Sanga, to name a few.
Next game’s against Adamson, this coming Thursday.
Well, that’s it for UAAP now. I sure missed the school spirit 🙂 One Big Fight!
One Small Package 