Who will have happier reunions?

LA SALLE made the expected adjustments in Game 2 and University of Santo Tomas was forced to change its party plans after the Finals of the UAAP.

Shutting down UST’s perimeter shooting and pounding it hard inside with its vastly improved bigs was La Salle’s winning formula to tie up the series and force one final game next weekend.

In the expected bedlam and mayhem of noise that will explode at the venue in Game 3, the battle itself will be short and quick, even if it will be played over 40 minutes.

The players will hear the chants but somehow the entire process will be so clear as if played in a state of slow motion.

Both La Salle and UST will surely be all pumped for the one game that could define how these teams will hold their reunions in the future.  By then, there will be endless rehashing of defining moments for the winners. They could watch the game again but telling the stories is much more fun.

The present generation has the advantage of videos unlike those prior to the 1980s who have only stories stored in their memories. That’s joyful as well as each tale gets embellished or forgotten as time goes by.

For the vanquished, there will be talk of missed opportunities. Perhaps to avoid such a sad reunion, both UST and La Salle should consider the following:

START STRONG, DEFEND STRONG —In a short championship series, the teams that establish their will early have better chances of winning.

This series has been an example of that. UST started with a sweeping blitz in Game 1, lost the lead but still managed to have enough oxygen left to finish the Archers.

In Game 2, La Salle had the quicker start and defended better. UST’s snipers grappled with their shooting and were not as prolific as in Game 1. Kevin Ferrer for one, the sweet-shooting gunner of Game 1 who hit 5 of 8 treys, could muster only 1 for 6.

REBOUNDS AND POSSESSIONS —Rather than be concerned with the numbers, the issue of desire to own the basketball should take precedence in Game 3.

More possessions will mean more chances to score. Taking the ball away from an opponent also scores a significant psychological point.

DEFENSIVE STOPS—The series has scored in the 70s and that is normal for the college game and in a high-intensity finale.

The objective could be to hold down one side to less than that to win the title. Basketball is also about preventing the other team from scoring. The side with the better defense should emerge champion and should have more delightful reunions in the future.