My mind is still a swirling mess of color and feeling: blue and white, green and yellow, tension and excitement, happiness and nostalgia.
My UAAP Season 73 experience ended yesterday as the Blue Eagles defended their crown as Kings of College Basketball, with Finals MVP Ryan Buenafe clinching a shot from downtown, making it the dagger of the game.
Since it is a gloomy Friday morning, let's have a little story telling. Shall we? Hold your cup of hot chocolate or coffee (in my case) while we get to the depth of this.
To start with, I never had the chance to catch UAAP games during its first month or so. I was deeply absorbed with the board exam review that time. (See, I know how to set my priorities straight! Hahaha) Yes, I get to hear updates once in a while from my Dad or brother, but that was it! I didn't even have the plan to watch any games after the boards. After the boards, I had ALL the time to slack off. I was contented with the remote control in one hand, cellphone on the other and my eyes, every now and then to the computer monitor UNTIL a classmate who turns out to be a co-UAAP fanatic (Read this: you will find out later. Any guess is welcome:) ruined my whole bum-ness experience by asking me "jc, nuod tayo UAAP! (That was not the exact words of course but the bottom line is, SHE ASKED ME TO WATCH!) And my UAAP blood started to scream with excitement. So I gave in.
We watched four games: FEU vs. DLSU, FEU vs. ATENEO then the two games of this year's finals series. Compared to the total number of the UAAP games this season, our four games is a measly count. SRSLY. But that four games was what I call my UAAP Season 73 experience!
What made this year memorable? Let me see. This is the first time that I was rooting for my alma mater. This may sound rubbish since our school, is more of like FEU Main's sister school and we were never introduced to the idea of cheering for the FEU Tams. But diba, may FEU parin naman ang NRMF so might as well live up to that! Hahaha! The previous years, it has always been a choice between Ateneo or DLSU or who had the most number of handsome players. From the start, I already had the feeling FEU will make it to the Finals. Blame it on their strong line-up. This year too has been the great amazing race for the tickets! Waking up extra early to get in the snake of the line in Araneta was definitely no joke! I remember the late nights when my co-fanatic and I will devise special plans for a whole day! All this, just for the tickets! This time, I also cheered my heart out. I was always hyped up! Nothing can parallel the feeling when you scream and jump and throw your fist in the air when Sanga or Romeo sinks in a three! And this season too, I found myself getting so emotionally attached to the team. I almost cried when the buzzer went on, signaling time's up in the 4th quarter of game two! I wasn't able to take the action well. During the last two minutes, I decided to embrace the comfort of the comfort room cubicle. You can laugh at me now, go on. No ill feelings! Hahaha!
I was laughing or more like giggling while I was gushing over these pictures I had in my camera. These are some of the pictures I was able to collect over the past 4 games.
That reminds me! Every fan has his favorite player. I have standards to tell you honestly. But this one, IT SORT of just came out while watching one game (but still fits my standards Hahaha) I bet you can now guess who!
RR was awarded as this season's MVP, making him the first guard in two decades (since Flying A Johnny Abarrientos) to win the award. He knows how to handle the ball well, make good plays and above all, he doesn't allow fame to go straight up to his head!
With the whole experience, I also found good and lovable companions in the images of Timmy and Grace! My closeness with Grace can be traced way back third year college. You see, we are duty mates and we've had our share of heart to heart talks, crazy moments and misadventures! The co-fanatic and I had to beg Grace to come watch with us at first. Next thing I knew, she was texting me already about the game schedule and tickets. Hahaha! Timmy, on the other hand, was just a classmate. We never really got the time to bond since we're on a separate group. Yeah I know her. She's tall, pretty, made a superb speech in our English class, knows how to spruce up an outfit and makes the best cucpakes in the world! And yes, she's the one I'm referring to as the "co-fanatic". Fast forward today, she's a great companion and I thank God for our UAAP connection! The friendship is etched in my heart.
Okay, fast forward yesterday. Game Two of the Finals. Pressure building, heart pounding, nerve wracking. Ateneo took game one in a crushing fashion and now, everyone's telling that FEU should manage to keep up. Oh boy, the game's gonna take a cardiac finish! Hahaha!
And they did. Atleast in the first quarter where FEU made a stellar start. If you can just imagine how many times I pumped my fist in the air with every shot! Hahaha! FEU cheering was awesome yesterday! Slow clap for you guys!
During the second quarter, FEU starts to misfire while Ateneo started to heat up. Monfort and Long sinking in their threes, Buenafe adding more damage. Salva connects in the post while Escueta sinks a jumper. The Eagles getting their charities perfectly. On the other hand, Garcia, struggling with his points, made a short stab in the third. Sanga came out with 3 beyond the arch shots. Big men Ramos and Cervantes getting the inside shots during the first half. Basically,it was a see-saw ball game. The fight was so close!! I was nervous the whole fourth quarter. But after Buenafe nailed the 3 pointer, that was it. I wish I was blinded by that exact moment. And the confetti started to come down.. Blue and white confetti that is.
It was really heartbreaking. To some extent, I felt like I was also part of the team. Funny and crazy as it may sound, but I woke up today trying my best to squeeze into a tight package my sentiments over yesterday's game. I'm taking my time to gather my thoughts and pep talk myself that the season is really over. I am nursing a broken heart today and probably for a few more days. I can use a heartbroken lair right now. Send me your hugs! And Timmy, throw in some cuppys too! Hahaha :)
I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Tams. You went this far to the Finals and you finished the race! I am so proud of you guys! Okay, shed some tears now, it's totally acceptable. Take something good from it. Tuck into your heads and hearts the championship experience. Keep it handy, you may all need it very soon! Heads up! Daddy Tamaraw Coach Glenn, I hope you're doing well.
This season is indeed memory worthy! What not for the cheers, the school spirit, the awesome players, the whole atmosphere and oh how can I forget that incident when the "crowd" throws an EXTREMELY ill-mannered cheer while the girls in yellow walked past them? And you say your school upholds values huh? You just made it unbelievable.
Oh wait! Here's my picture with my sportscaster idol, Jessica Mendoza!
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| Geez!! It's really her! <3 |
I end this post by trying to make some space for all the mem'ries! Take care everyone! :)
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