UAAP Season 69 men's basketball tournament

Infobox PhilCollFinals
title=UAAP Season 69 Men's Basketball
higherseed =
lowerseed = "'
G3=3 (OT)

higherseed_game1 =73
higherseed_game2 =71
higherseed_game3 =74
higherseed_series =1

lowerseed_game1 =72
lowerseed_game2 =87
lowerseed_game3 =76
lowerseed_series =2

duration = September 24 to October 2
arena = Araneta Coliseum
MVP = Jojo Duncil
coach = Pido Jarencio
semis = UAAPteam|UE
UAAPteam|Adamson
network = Studio 23 and TFC|

The men's basketball tournaments of UAAP Season 69 started on July 8, 2006 at the Araneta Coliseum and ended on October 2, 2006 also at the same venue with the UST Growling Tigers defeating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the third game of their Finals series. Ateneo finished first in the elimination round. They eliminated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, who are in their Final Four debut, in the semifinals. UST finished tied for third in the eliminations and had to beat the 2nd seed UE Red Warriors twice in order to qualify at the Finals.

2005 finalists De La Salle Green Archers were suspended when it was revealed that two players used spurious documents to enter college. All of their wins from 2003 to 2005 were also forfeited. La Salle's suspension also caused the suspension of the 2005 juniors champions De La Salle Junior Archers. All La Salle teams would return in the 2007 season.

Preseason events

In a meeting held at Adamson University on April 21, 2006, the UAAP Board unanimously voted to suspend De La Salle from all UAAP events on both divisions for the 2006-2007 (69th) season due to negligence. [ [http://www.ubelt.com/ub/uaap/mbb/story.aspx?id=1061 UAAP Suspends DLSU For A Season] , [http://www.ubelt.com UBelt.com] . Retrieved June 12, 2006.]

New coaches include the comebacking Joe Lipa for the UP Fighting Maroons, Leo Austria for the Adamson Falcons, and Pido Jarencio for the UST Growling Tigers.

Since Joe Lipa was tapped as the new coach of UP, Elmer Yanga, former team manager of the RFM franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association, was chosen as the new basketball commissioner for the season.

All of the elimination's first round games after Opening Day was held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. Second round games were held at the Philsports Arena and the Araneta Coliseum. The Final Four and the best-of-three Finals are set at the Big Dome as well.

Elimination round

Host team in boldface.

Tiebreaker: UST defeats Adamson on the playoff for the 3rd seed, 85-71.

Rivalry games

These are the results of the different rivalry games:basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = July 16
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UP
scoreA = 89
scoreB = 98
teamB = UAAPteam|Ateneo
place = Ninoy Aquino Stadium
TV = Studio 23basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = August 20
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|Ateneo
scoreA = 98
scoreB = 88
teamB = UAAPteam|UP
place = Araneta Coliseum
TV = Studio 23basketballbox
date = July 15
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|FEU
scoreA = 84
scoreB = 92
teamB = UAAPteam|UE
place = Ninoy Aquino Stadium
TV = Studio 23basketballbox
date = August 20
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UE
scoreA = 73
scoreB = 86
teamB = UAAPteam|FEU
place = Araneta Coliseum
TV = Studio 23

tatistical leaders

* Points: Kenneth Bono (Adamson, 21.8)
* Rebounds: Jervy Cruz (UST, 12.8)
* Assists: Japs Cuan (UST, 6.3)
* Blocks: Elmer Espiritu (UE, 2.1)
* Steals: Marvin Cruz (UP, 2.0)
* Turnovers: Bonbon Custodio (UE, 4.3)

Postseason teams

Adamson make their first Final Four appearance since the format's first application in 1995. Ateneo and UE continue their streaks of playoff appearances, as UST returns after a three-year absence. The FEU Tamaraws were the first defending champions not to qualify for the semifinals.

Ateneo Blue Eagles

The Eagles entered the season as one of the preseason favorites. After winning a nailbiter against lowly NU Bulldogs on Opening Day, the Eagles went on an 8-game winning streak, sweeping the first round, and surviving squeakers against Adamson and FEU, and blowing out UST by 36 points on the first round finale.

The second round was more of the same, when Ateneo again survived another 1-point game against the Falcons. However, they were dealt with their first setback in an overtime loss against the Growling Tigers, who were without three players due to injuries and ailments. Despite the loss, the Eagles were already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage at the semi-finals. They also dropped their last assignment, a no-bearing game against the Warriors at the last day of eliminations.

UE Red Warriors

Returning with an intact lineup, the hosts also emerged as one of the preseason tournaments. However, the first round was mixed, as they were beaten by UST and Ateneo, but they finished second.

On the second round, UE was unbeaten, winning four straight (including the last game of the first round). However, UE was beaten by Adamson in an overtime thriller. After UST's defeat of Adamson in another overtime game, UE is now assured of a a twice-to-beat advantage at the semifinals.

UST Growling Tigers

The Growling Tigers opened the season with a stunning loss against the UP Fighting Maroons on a buzzer-beater shot by Marvin Cruz. However, they beat the defending champions Far Eastern and top seeds East in two closely-fought games. With setbacks against National, Adamson and a blowout loss against Ateneo, their Final Four aspirations were cast in doubt.

Santo Tomas opened their second round with another loss against UE. But they broke the .500 barrier with successive wins against National, Far Eastern, and an overtime win against Ateneo. Flirting a possible twice-to-beat advantage at the semifinals, the Maroons dealt the Tigers another defeat. With their fates not in their hands, they've beaten the Soaring Falcons in another thrilling overtime game. With Ateneo's drubbing of Far Eastern, the Tigers entered the Final Four for the first time since 2002.

Adamson Soaring Falcons

The Falcons is the only team not to enter the men's Final Four since the league instituted it in 1994. Seeking to end the streak, the Falcons had their first win against the Bulldogs, after being demolished by the hosts in their opening game. But Adamson still faced a rocky ride, losing to top contenders, Ateneo and FEU but beating UP and UST to end the first round with an even 3-3 record.

Opening the second round, Adamson was beaten again by FEU and Ateneo. But with center Ken Bono posting MVP numbers, Adamson brought itself in the hunt for that elusive Final Four berth. They were able to demolish UP and upset UE in overtime. They had a heartbreaker loss against UST before closing out the second round with a win over NU. With Ateneo's defeat of Far Eastern, Adamson barged outright into their first Final Four appearance.

Third-seed playoff

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = September 14
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UST
scoreA = 85
scoreB = 81
teamB = UAAPteam|Adamson
place = PhilSports Arena, Pasig
TV = Studio 23

Bracket

RPFinalFourbracket-ko|KO=Third-seed playoff

3seed-team1=UAAPteam|UST|short
3seed-score1=85
3seed-team2=UAAPteam|Adamson|short
3seed-score2=81

RD1-seed1=1
RD1-team1=UAAPteam|Ateneo|short
RD1-score1A= 76
RD1-seed2=4
RD1-team2=UAAPteam|Adamson|short
RD1-score2A= 73
RD1-seed3=2
RD1-team3=UAAPteam|UE|short
RD1-score3A=75
RD1-score3B=81
RD1-seed4=3
RD1-team4=UAAPteam|UST|short
RD1-score4A=79
RD1-score4B=82

RD2-seed1=1
RD2-team1=UAAPteam|Ateneo|short
RD2-score1A=73
RD2-score1B=71
RD2-score1C=74
RD2-seed2=3
RD2-team2=UAAPteam|UST|short
RD2-score2A=72
RD2-score2B=87
RD2-score2C=76*
RD2-note=Asterisks (*) denotes the number of overtimes.

emifinals

Ateneo-Adamson series

This was the Soaring Falcons' first Final Four appearance. Adamson gave Ateneo two one-point victories in the elimination round, with the Eagles escaping due to their endgame heroics.

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = September 17
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|Adamson
scoreA = 73
scoreB = 76
teamB = UAAPteam|Ateneo
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23
series = Ateneo enters the Finals.

A see-saw game until the fourth quarter, when Ken Bono of the Falcons converting a three-point play with 18.3 seconds remaining, to cut the Ateneo lead to, 74-73. On the inbound pass, Blue Eagle Chris Tiu threw an errant pass to Macky Escalona who failed to retrieve it. On the next possession, Soaring Falcon Patrick Cabahug missed a fadeaway jumper, which led to an Atenean rebound. The Falcons left with no choice but to foul Chris Tiu, who calmly sank his two freethrows, thereby eliminating the Falcons from contention.cite news |first=Jasmine |last=Payo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Blue Eagles in finals; Tigers stay in hunt |url=http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=21536 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |publisher= |date=2006-09-18 |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

UE-UST series

Season host was favored in this matchup, with several veterans in the lineup. The Tigers have no players with playoff experience, save for Jemal Vizcarra who was out of the season by the second game due to an Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

UST won the first game 91-77, while UE won the second game, 74-63 in the elimination round. UE's loss was the fourth time in tournament history where they were booted out of the semifinals armed with the twice-to-beat advantage (1994, 2002, 2003 and 2006). UE's last Finals appearance was on 1991.

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = September 17
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UST
scoreA = 79
scoreB = 76
teamB = UAAPteam|UE
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23basketballbox
date = September 21
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UST
scoreA = 83
scoreB = 82
teamB = UAAPteam|UE
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23
series = UST enters the Finals.

First game

UST led for much of the game, when the Warriors started making inroads by the third quarter. With 21.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and with UST up by two points, June Cortez of UST converted a three-point play that gave the Growling Tigers enough breathing space to force a deciding elimination game.

econd game

With the Tigers off to a hot start, the Warriors kept within striking distance. In the fourth quarter, the Warriors forced a 70-all deadlock - the first in the game. UE then led by as much as five points, but the Tigers fought back, forcing turnovers and grabbing offensive rebounds, to tie the score at 79-all. After a UE turnover, Jojo Duncil missed the shot, but Jervy Cruz grabbed the offensive rebound, missing the put-back; Duncil then tipped in the ball for a two-point field goal, plus a foul. Duncil completed the three-point play. On the next possession, UE's Marcy Arellano drove unmolested to the basket, cutting the lead into one point. With a UST turnover and several seconds remaining, Red Warrior Jorel Cañizares missed a medium range jump shot. Cañizares grabbed his own rebound but missed on a short stab; Warriors team captain Robert Labagala grabbed the rebound as time expired.cite news |first=Jasmine |last=Payo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Tigers oust Warriors, seal duel with Eagles |url=http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=22409 |work= |publisher= |date=2006-09-22 |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Finals

The Growling Tigers and the Blue Eagles met each other for the first time in the UAAP Finals. The last time they met in the Finals was in the 1931 NCAA season, in which the Ateneo won.

Game One

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = September 24
time = 4:00 p.m.
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UST
scoreA = 72
scoreB = 73
Q1 = 15-19
Q2 = 20-16
Q3 = 22-22
Q4 = 15-16
teamB = UAAPteam|Ateneo
points1 = Jervy Cruz 20
rebounds1 = Jervy Cruz 13
assist1 = Japs Cuan 3
otherstat1 =TOs: Espiritu, Cuan 3 each
points2 = J.C. Intal 21
rebounds2 = Doug Kramer 13
assist2 = Chris Tiu 4
otherstat2 =Blks: Zion Laterre 4
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23, TFC
series = Ateneo leads series, 1-0The game was close all throughout, with neither team leading by double figures. It ended in the fourth quarter with two crucial plays. With 4.3 seconds to go, Tigers forward Allan Evangelista made a tough fadeaway shot over the outstreched arms of Doug Kramer, pushing UST ahead of Ateneo, 72-71, with 1 second to go.

Ateneo coach Norman Black immediately called a time-out over the tumultuous din of the rejoicing UST fans. In the inbound play, Macky Escalona found a wide open Doug Kramer on the paint, and the Ateneo forward calmly banked the ball in for the win, sending the Ateneo fans, in turn, into a wild frenzy.cite news |first=Jasmine |last=Payo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Last-gasp Kramer shot lifts Eagles |url=http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=22846 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |publisher= |date=2006-09-25 |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Game Two

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = September 30
time = 4:00 p.m.
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|Ateneo
scoreA = 71
scoreB = 87
Q1 = 20-21
Q2 = 18-27
Q3 = 19-17
Q4 = 14-22
teamB = UAAPteam|UST
points2 = Dylan Ababou 22
rebounds2 = Jervy Cruz 13
assist2 = Jervy Cruz 6
otherstat2 =FG%: Dylan Ababou 82%
points1 = J.C. Intal 23
rebounds1 = Doug Kramer 13
assist1 = Intal, Escalona 4 each
otherstat1 =TOs: Chris Tiu 4
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23, TFC
series = UST ties series, 1-1The Eagles, although led early, were down by a point at the end of the first half. The Tigers broke the zone defense by hitting outside shots and by grabbing offensive rebounds off their misses. JC Intal kept the Eagles at striking distance but his supporting cast wasn't enough as the Tigers cruised into a Game 2 victory, and forced a winner-take-all Game 3.cite news |first=Jasmine |last=Payo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Tigers maul Eagles, forge rubber match |url=http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=24094 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |publisher=2006-10-01 |date= |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Game Three

basketballbox
bg = #eee
date = October 2
time = 3:00 p.m.
teamA = UAAPteam-rt|UST
scoreA = 76
scoreB = 74 (OT)
Q1 = 15-17
Q2 = 16-20
Q3 = 20-13
Q4 = 13-10
OT = 12-10
teamB = UAAPteam|Ateneo
points1 = Jojo Duncil 18
rebounds1 = Jervy Cruz 13
assist1 = June Cortez 4
otherstat1 =Bench pts.: 24
points2 = Macky Escalona 28
rebounds2 = Zion Laterre 11
assist2 = J.C. Intal 5
otherstat2 =TOs: Ford Arao 5
place = Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
TV = Studio 23, TFC
series = UST wins series, 2-1With a tightly-contested first quarter, the Intal-Escalona connection of the Eagles threatened to pull away at the second quarter, leading by as much as ten. In the third quarter, the Tigers stormed back, keeping in touch with the Blue Eagles. In the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, rookie sensation Jervy Cruz fouled out with 1:16 left; Evangelista, the almost-hero of Game 1, fouled out two minutes earlier. With a 64-59 Ateneo lead, Anthony Espiritu scored a three-pointer on the UST offense. Mark Canlas scored a put-back to tie the game. Intal missed a short jumper at the other end for force overtime.

With the score tied 74-all, June Cortez missed a jumper; Dylan Ababou was fouled as he grabbed the rebound. Ababou split his charities, which led to another JC Intal miss in the final seconds. The rebound was hotly contested, and the referee called for a jump ball; the possession arrow pointed to UST. Eric Salamat was forced to foul June Cortez, who converted his first and missed his second, which led to the Ateneo rebound with 3.6 ticks left. Jai Reyes heaved a desperation three-pointer that missed the ring completely, causing jubilation to the golden half of the Coliseum. An estimated 20,000 packed the Araneta Coliseum including United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney and Senator Richard Gordon .

Jojo Duncil named Finals MVP award. Pido Jarencio wins his first UAAP title for UST. [cite news |first=Jasmine |last=Payo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=UST Tigers grab 19th UAAP title in overtime |url=http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=24411 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |publisher= |date=2006-10-03 |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Awards

* Finals Most Valuable Player: Jojo Duncil (UST)
* Season Most Valuable Player: Kenneth Bono (Adamson)
* Rookie of the Year: Woodward 'Woody' Co (UP)
* Mythical Five
** Guard: Marvin Cruz (UP)
** Guard: Jeffrei Chan (FEU)
** Forward: J.C. Intal (Ateneo)
** Forward: Jervy Cruz (UST)
** Center: Kenneth Bono (Adamson)
* Gilette Breakout Player: J.C. Intal (Ateneo)
* PSBank Maasahan (Dependable) Player: Kenneth Bono (Adamson)
* Coach of the Year: Pido Jarencio (UST)
* Player of the Year: JC Intal (Ateneo)
* Scoring Champion: Kenneth Bono (Adamson)
* Mr. Clutch: Jojo Duncil (UST)
* Defensive Player: Jervy Cruz (UST)
* Sixth Man: Dylan Ababou (UST)
* Comeback Player: Chris Tiu (Ateneo)
* Most Improved Player: Marvin Cruz (UP)
* Sportsmanship Award: Jeffrei Chan (FEU)
* Energy Player: Marcy Arellano (UE)

uspensions

* Jonathan Jankhe of the NU Bulldogs for shoving a closed fist against Vicmel Epres of the UP Fighting Maroons. Served one game suspension against, ironically, the same team.
* Jojo Duncil of the UST Growling Tigers for headbutting Dave Catamora of the NU Bulldogs. Served one game suspension against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
* Ira Buyco of the UP Fighting Maroons for hitting Macky Escalona of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the face on a rebound play. Served one game suspension against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
* UE suspended Bonifacio Custodio of the UE Red Warriors for disciplinary action. Served suspension on Game 2 of the semifinals against the UST Growling Tigers.
* Anthony Espiritu of the UST Growling Tigers was supposedly suspended on Game 3 of the Finals due to two flagrant fouls on Game 2 but was instead given a warning by the UAAP Board.

References

External links

* [http://www.uaapgames.com/ Official UAAP website]
* UAAP Basketball at UBelt.com: [http://www.ubelt.com/ub/uaap/mbb/index.aspx Men's] | [http://www.ubelt.com/ub/uaap/wbb/index.aspx Women's] | [http://www.ubelt.com/ub/tourney/evt/index.aspx?tourney=uaap&evt=jbb&year=2006 Juniors']