Sayin' Ayo, Ateneo!
Double victory in 2008. Double back-to-back in 2009. And, now, in 2010, DOUBLE 3-PEAT!! Oh yeah, you have got that right, the Eaglets and the Eagles managed to defend their crowns!! I am still in awe with how well these guys played the entire season!!
Earlier this season, Ateneo was having the most difficult time with every team they played against. They lost their first game against FEU, which was a first since 2003, I think. Then, they won by the skin of their teeth against Adamson and UE. They lost to La Salle after securing the game with a 9-point lead with 2 minutes left but they just let it slip away with getting too comfortable.
I was doubting the team already and did not know how well they would do this season. But, they did nothing but prove me wrong. In the 2nd round, they played amazingly. They managed to win against La Salle by 20+ points. The hardly had any games were they almost lost. Although, they did manage to get 2 more loses from FEU, again, and then UE this time.
I did not know whether to be happy that they made it to the final 4 or not. Of course, I was, but I felt like it was going to be difficult for them to beat any of those 3 teams considering their games against said teams during this season. They were 0-2 to FEU, 1-1 to La Salle, and barely 2-0 to Adamson. Not exactly the best records. When FEU beat La Salle and Ateneo beat Adamson, I was already really scared since I knew they didn't have the best chances of beating FEU in the finals.
But, again, Ateneo proved me wrong. They came out really strong in the 1st game beating FEU by around 17 points. Even if they did win that game, I was scared about going into game 2 because everything went well during that game. Something bad was bound to happen in the 2nd game.
On the way to the game, we were sitting in the car when the game was already going on. Thank God for my phone and infinite Wi-Fi, I was able to keep track of what was happening. And it was not a pretty sight. Ateneo was down the entire 1st half by 10 at the most. When we got to the game, there were about 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter and a smile crept on my face to see that they were tied!! It made me relax a bit. Then, during the rest of the game, they just playing with everything they had. They did have a few fumbles here and there but it didn't matter anymore when that final buzzer of the season sounded and everyone was jumping around celebrating the first 3-peat for Ateneo since the 1930s.
I am so proud of Ryan Buenafe, rookie of the year 2 years ago and now the finals MVP with at least 20 points to his name today. His last 3-point shot that sealed the game for Ateneo was epic. I was so scared that he took the chance and took the shot because he wasn't exactly the most accurate 3-point shooter on the team. But when the ball went through the net, I was just really really happy.
I will definitely miss everyone from this bunch of guys specifically. Every year, I had a favorite who was going to leave and I said that I would miss them but I end up not caring about them once they leave, but, honestly, I'm really going to miss Eric. :( I watched his very first game and very last game live and it's just going to be different. No more salutes after epic 3-point shots, no more amazing steals and no more awesome plays and passes.
I am looking forward to a 4-peat next year since it will be my first year there for college. And I will finally be an Atenista. This is truly the place where I belong. <3
"@adiesison: Destiny 2008. Supremacy 2009. Dynasty 2010."
"@ateneodemanilau: Today, we made history. First 3-peat in Men's Basketball since the early 1930s. First double 3-peat (men's and juniors) in UAAP and NCAA combined history. Congratulations to our Ateneo Blue Eagles. Thank you all for your support. ONE BIG FIGHT!"
