Winning Maroons

Nice 86-72 win by the UP Fighting Maroons over the NU Bulldogs. With the opening day victory under new head coach Aboy Castro, the team already eclipsed last year's 0-14 record.

Some notes:

-- The frontcourt rotation isn't nearly as bad as everyone expected. It's still nowhere near the level of the elite teams, but it's been adequate so far. The line's still undersized, but it's very skilled and surprisingly deep, and the starting center Magi Sison looks like he'll be a PBA player down the line. I don't know if they'll still be adequate against the berret teams, but of the whole league, I think only Ateneo has the size to punish our big guys in the paint. We'll see.

-- The full-court trap was surprisingly effective because the backcourt was surprisingly quick and athletic. The announcers never mentioned this, but Paul Sorongon was perfect as the disruptive, long, and pesky guard at the top of the trap.

-- Pleased with the development of Martin Reyes. He's got enough size to play the 3-spot, and he can shoot over smaller guards. If he can shoot well enough over the course of the season, he'll be the team's most important scorer.

-- On the other hand, its sad to see that Migs de Asis' game has atrophied. He used to be better than Reyes, but lack of size and athleticism looks like it has rendered him ineffective. He can still be a deadly shooter off the bench playing spot minutes, but that's about it for him.

-- Mark Lopez has good length and athleticism, and he can play multiple positions. I can't help but feel like he should be much, much better than he actually is. He looks like a star. Hopefully he'll play like one too.

-- UP didn't even shoot that well from the outside but still won going away. The defense was excellent though, forcing lots of turnovers that led to easy baskets.

-- UP's new courtside reporter is former child star Patricia Ann Roque.

-- It's cool to see UP assistant coach Jerry Codinera wearing maroon.

Labels: basketball, sports, up fighting maroons

- posted by jaemark @ 7/06/2008 04:20:00 PM