UAAP season 87

[cha34]

How come LeBron Lopez hasn't grown as a player compared to last year? I thought the kid has all the tools to be special. Heck, he was signed to play pro ball before he stepped in a college campus. Yet, he is slowed down when forced to take outside shots.

[Metta]

In a nutshell.

There's 2 types of nba slam dunk champions...either they're no names or they are really really good (especially in years past when the very best joined). Not a lot in between.

For international purposes, Lopez is headed for the former.

It's the curse of being bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic than most at a young age. You never have the need to develop in other aspects of the game. His aborted move to the US was very bad for his development, he would have been forced to work more on his skills.

[EvanNelle24]

Yeah, if they are to compete with DLSU. They need another QMB level of player and I think Sage is the answer.

Next year, DLSU will likely lose KQ, But they'll gain Pablo, Amos, Sarmiento and god willing Melencio. That is stacked.

UST is also pursuing Sage Tolentino.

[Crustacean]

The UP-DLSU first round encounter has completely been overshadowed by Spit-gate. LMAO.

According to Naveen's podcast, UP side is actively looking for video evidence. I guess they're asking One Sports, and will likely lodge a complaint to the UP-friendly board if any video evidence is available. Using past precedent, Arvie Bringas was suspended one game for a similar incident.

[maroonforlife]

In the last three games of UP this 1st round, I noticed that UP has a harder time making baskets when their opponent is also making baskets. Too reliant on transition opportunities created by their defense.
Last season, they struggled in halfcourt sets, which was exposed against La Salle. So, same-o, same-o?

The last 3 games against Adamson, UST, and La Salle, UP had very sloooow starts. I think it's about consistency as well. UP has so much firepower they can withstand lulls in the game by using their depth. But when against an equally deep team like La Salle, the slow start and inconsistent half court game came back to haunt them. There was actually one game they had a good half court scheme where Belmonte was player of the game. It was beautiful to watch him being the anchor in the middle and when he was on the bench, Lopez played the same role. I dunno why they don't use that scheme more often though.

[Crustacean]

No proof then. There were thousands in the arena, and a lot take vids for their tiktok or whatever. There are also a lot of camera angles from the official sources, so it should be easy to trace for UP? Again, what’s Topex to gain? Did he wait until the referee wasn’t looking before he did it? Just find it hard to believe a coach would do that, esp unprovoked, and at the risk of getting caught. Totally not worth it

To be fair, people taking videos would likely not be focused on the DLSU bench area. Also, the people closest to that area are of course mostly DLSU fans. So I doubt there would be any amateur videos taken by spectators of this incident, if it indeed happened. If there was any video taken by a spectator, it would have been posted online by now.

Regarding the unprovoked claim, there was verbal exchange between the two, I think both of them confirmed it.

Naveen basically confirmed in his podcast this morning that UP is looking for footage.

[Sikatrix]

To be fair, people taking videos would likely not be focused on the DLSU bench area. Also, the people closest to that area are of course mostly DLSU fans. So I doubt there would be any amateur videos taken by spectators of this incident, if it indeed happen. If there was any video taken by a spectator, it would have been posted online by now.

Regarding the unprovoked claim, there was verbal exchange between the two, I think both of them confirmed it.

Naveen basically confirmed in his podcast this morning that UP is looking for footage.

Camera's from fans almost certainly wont have the quality needed. Its One Sports or bust for UP.

Its possible they see something like when Gabby Severino was caught giving the middle finger days after the spat with Mark Leviste but I wouldn't bet on it. Spitting most likely needs a high quality camera based on what happened with Rondo/CP3.

[maroonforlife]

The UP-DLSU first round encounter has completely been overshadowed by Spit-gate. LMAO.

According to Naveen's podcast, UP side is actively looking for video evidence. I guess they're asking One Sports, and will likely lodge a complaint to the UP-friendly board if any video evidence is available. Using past precedent, Arvie Brings was suspended one game for a similar incident.

Ugh, as a UP fan, I dislike these unnecessary drama as this probably attracts more distraction as opposed to just fine tuning, preparing, and improving for their next game. It'd be good if this Spit-gate lits an emotional fire for the UP Fighting Maroons but if the players themselves get overriden by emotions instead of executing on the court, I don't they think they deserve to go all the way.

[Crustacean]

In the last three games of UP this 1st round, I noticed that UP has a harder time making baskets when their opponent is also making baskets. Too reliant on transition opportunities created by their defense.

Last season, they struggled in halfcourt sets, which was exposed against La Salle. So, same-o, same-o?

Watching the game last night was like deja vu--- exactly how DLSU played UP in the latter two games of the finals last year.

I think I said this before the season that you take Cagulangan out of UP, and they're instantly a beatable team. The last two games of Round 1 showed that. They have a plethora of guards, but no one other than Cagulangan can recognize mismatches, or stabilize the offense. Bonus that he's a threat on offense as well.

DLSU has the same guard problem, but they have a KQ who does some of the things a PG does.

Am not sure adding Remogat to this UP team next year will be much of an improvement, I see him more as a scoring guard than a passing guard. UP needs a true PG in the mold of Nelle for DLSU last year, or Padrigao for UST this year.

[Crustacean]

Ugh, as a UP fan, I dislike these unnecessary drama as this probably attracts more distraction as opposed to just fine tuning, preparing, and improving for their next game. It'd be good if this Spit-gate lits an emotional fire for the UP Fighting Maroons but if the players themselves get overriden by emotions instead of executing on the court, I don't they think they deserve to go all the way.

And it did distract UP, it halted their momentum in the third quarter.

I watched the game last night and had pretty good seats, and there were a lot of extra-curriculars going on. Players were chirping at each other all game long. The usual suspects: Austria, Alarcon, Torres. Mike Phillips and Lopez were also getting into it.

[maroonforlife]

Watching the game last night was like deja vu--- exactly how DLSU played UP in the latter two games of the finals last year.

I think I said this before the season that you take Cagulangan out of UP, and they're instantly a beatable team. The last two games of Round 1 showed that. They have a plethora of guards, but no one other than Cagulangan can recognize mismatches, or stabilize the office. Bonus that he's a threat on offense as well.

DLSU has the same guard problem, but they have a KQ who does some of the things a PG does.

Am not sure adding Remogat to this UP team next year will be much of an improvement, I see him more as a scoring guard than a passing guard. UP needs a true PG in the mold of Nelle for DLSU last year, or Padrigao for UST this year.

I was expecting Abadiano to be that guy when Cagulangan is off the court but sadly he's also been more of a score first guard but with great defense, to be fair. It doesn't get any better for UP next season when JD and QMB leaves while DLSU beefs up with Amos, Baclaan, Cortez, and Pablo. If there's any season to win the championship again, it's this one.

[maroonforlife]

And it did distract UP, it halted their momentum in the third quarter.

I watched the game last night and had pretty good seats, and there were a lot of extra-curriculars going on. Players were chirping at each other all game long. The usual suspects: Austria, Alarcon, Torres. Mike Phillips and Lopez were also getting into it.

I expect no less when it comes to the chirping and taunting and mentally you have to be ready for it. UP hasn't really been delivering when it matters though.

[thatweirdguy]

In a nutshell.

The Papa Rey special. Well I'm hoping Francis is at least Canaleta level.

[Crustacean]

Hmm lets see if they're able to keep it up through the 2nd rd. Still kinda early for me to jump on the hype train tho, atleast one thing going for them is they find ways to win. The players have been solid but im still skeptical of jack santiago. Looking at how the other team's have been, high chance they'll end up with an above 500 record which is still a big improvement for a team that has only got 9 wins in the last 3 years.

UE is a match up problem for DLSU because of their guard rotation. But, I really don't expect UE to make it to the finals, a couple of their wins in their streak were last minute wins and that is not sustainable. Plus, there's the issue of Momowei always being to careless with his fouls against teams with skilled bigs.

[cha34]

In a nutshell.

Sad to see. He could have been a real threat internationally. He's a mismatch in transition. He's literallt like a LeBron Ph Version.