The Ateneo-UST game should not have been a thriller. Theoretically, Ateneo has more than enough tools to actually finish off a UST team that has been clearly playing poorly over the last couple of games. However, what was not to be expected is the good reception and blocking of UST, and the poor play of Ateneo, especially in the first sets of the game.
In the first set, halfway through, I immediately sensed that it would be a long game. Denden Lazaro, who is almost always spot on in reception and digging, was struggling to get the ball. Jia Morado, who is usually flawless at the setting, was having trouble here and there. Amy Ahomiro, who is usually quite dependable, was having a very off game. Also, Alyssa was checked pretty much by the opposing team, with many of her initial hits swatted away. To add insult to injury, for some reason, UST just kept receiving the ball well-enough to get their plays going. It was one of the worst sets they've had all season long.
The second set and the first half of the third set was where life was somehow injected into the Ateneo squad. Because Amy was having an off game, Bea Tan was entered, and proved to be a sparkplug of sorts coming from the bench. Michelle Morente was also a valuable energizer throughout the game. But the reception woes still plagued Denden's game, which resulted in a lot of problems for Ateneo. I've always had a belief that this Ateneo team will only go as far as Denden Lazaro's skills go. Because at the end of the day, without good reception, it will be hard to pull off the plays that the girls have planned on court. There were even moments where Jia was receiving, and that is a no-no, considering how setters must avoid or minimize getting the first ball in favor of setting up plays.
I believe that in as much as Denden's reception was the bane of Ateneo in the first half of the game, it became their boon in the second half, particularly in the fourth and fifth set. Denden started playing to form, working her digging magic, and it made Ateneo click. Very evidently, plays seem to have been going smoother.
Errors have been the problem of Ateneo all throughout this young season, giving some of Ateneo's critics the chance to call them an "error-filled" team. I believe that Ateneo has to be able to deal with the errors that plague it, and at the same time, to show their detractors that they are a team above that. Serving, reception and setting prowess has always been what kept Ateneo in games this season, and those came in handy in the latter pat of the game. For instance, The huge difference in the non-scoring skills between Ateneo and UST became the factor that won the game for Ateneo. As an example, they had a 47-26 margin in excellent digs, 23 from Denden. They also had a 35-17 edge in excellent sets, mostly thanks to the skills of Jia. Non-scoring skills will spell the difference between being a fringe Final Four member, or a legitimate championship contender.
However, this victory did come at a cost. Ana Gopico, one of my favorite rookies this year, injured her right knee after a bad fall in the fourth set. Honestly, I would have rather for Ateneo to have lost, than for Ana to have been injured. And this is all happening just before the very crucial weekend where we face La Salle.
***
File under: Beat#0009 - Hearts Like Ours - The Naked and Famous (Somewhat Damaged)
Last.fm Popularity: 665,709
Why music bloggers would like it: Kiwi quintet's comeback, since Passive Me, Aggressive You, is hypnotic, melodic. Ethereal vocals carry powerful and poetic lyrics. From beginning to end, like enjoying a melancholic train ride in existential space, like punching in a dream, pun-intended.
Why I really like it: The lyrics are heartfelt, and being a sucker for lyricism, I was able to relate and I like it a lot. Any song with an anthemic quality is a plus on my books. It just so happened I also love the electro pop that accompanies said lyrics. And lots of Kiwis are awesome, like Amy Ahomiro! I also have a cousin who is currently living in NZ. And my brother works at ANZ. Go New Zealand!
Fave lyrics:
"Leave me to the edge of night
To the dawn the end of time
Till the fire blazing light
Shines again within our eyes."
If you liked this, you might also like:
Constant Conversations - Passion Pit (Columbia Records)
Sex (EP Version) - The 1975 (Dirty Hit Records)
0 comments:
Post a Comment