Where: In the living room.
Now Playing: "Bring It On" by Hard-Fi.
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I've been a passionate fan of basketball for a long time, whether college hoops (NCAA or UAAP) or professional ball like the PBA or NBA, because if you're here in the Philippines, it is natural to be a basketball lover even though I am busy following football in general. After all, it is the most beloved sport here, but with all of those times, I've never watch a game live, EVER. I was dreaming of going to Araneta Coliseum one day when I was little as if I wanna experience the passion inside with all of the fans around. On August 19, 2012, it is a Sunday, finally, I've got a chance to be in THE BIG DOME to watch my school (Adamson University) go against my mother's Alma Mater (University of Santo Tomas) in their first round encounter in the UAAP.
I was uncertain of going to the venue because it was understandable that it was my first time of going in there but still, I managed to get in because I won't waste this opportunity.
1:24 p.m., I finally made it and got on my seat. Realistically, I never thought that the Araneta Coliseum was small unlike what was shown when they host a game of PBA or even the UAAP but what the heck, I would be watching a great game.
Start of the game, Adamson got a slow start. Of course, we miss some key players from last year like Alvarez and the others, and Alex Nuyles got his injury that would sent him out of the season but the loss of key players is the not reason to give up on the game, it's all about stepping up the level of play. We finish the first quarter getting closer with Fortuna's company with UST.
Second quarter was a tight affair but Adamson led most of the time in that 'kanto' and even boost the squad's momentum when they bury a buzzer-beating shot to end the first half of the game.
Second half was underway and like they end the first half, Adamson going hard on the interior and Karim Abdul couldn't figure out the same play the Falcons were doing inolving Monteclaro and Brondial. Camson had a great third quarter.
Last quarter of the game, it seemed that the Growling Tigers were on a frenzy when they made a run to somehow match with Adamson's intensity. In the dying seconds of the game, Karim Adbul, the hero of the FEU match, again defying the odds to put the Espana outfit in front. 18 seconds to go and Camson was holding the ball, tries to go underneath and tried to buy a foul but the referee didn't call it. It was a little bit unfortunate and we were all disappointed but nonetheless I had fun cheering most of the time and I was like very loud and that's where the passion comes.
FINAL SCORE: Adamson 60-61 UST
Although it was a painful loss at the end, really, it was a great game, end-to-end action but I must say, it was a valiant effort for our team despite the uncharacteristic record they have right now at 1-6 where most of their losses where held in tight contests like this one. It didn't reflect the last season's record where they finished 3rd because we were having a complete line-up. I'd say that the Adamson team we have right now is a rebuilding squad because of the huge losses in terms of roles of the key players use to do in the previous time but I know how rebuilding goes and I must support in the coming years and go back to the time of 1952 where Adamson have their first and only UAAP Basketball Championship with the leadership of the "Director" himself and one of the 25 Greatest Players to play in the PBA, Hector Calma, one of the most prolific alumni of Adamson University.
Again, I had fun that day and I just wish I can go to another live game and share the passion again with my fellow hoops fans.
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Time: 2:19 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Bubblegun" by CatPeople.
