Mac Baracael and an Amazing UE vs FEU Game
26 July 2008It's all over the news — FEU forward and leader Mac Baracael was shot from behind last Thursday and is now in the ICU but fortunately in stable condition. The suspect is still at large and it's difficult to speculate on the motives for this brazen attack, all we can do is pray and hope that this young man recovers from this, physically and emotionally.
Meanwhile, the rest of the FEU Tamaraws, the FEU community, and even the whole UAAP community, remain in shock over this crime but the games went on this afternoon. Understandably, the games took a back seat to the shooting incident, giving everyone a jolt and shift in perspective. The Tamaraws would have been forgiven if they played flat against UE, especially in the light of the emotionally draining past 48 hours for them. But the game was a blockbuster, arguably one of the best played matches of the season so far.
The FEU team was emotionally charged, and signs from the green gallery echoed the team's desire to play the game for Baracael. UE was also up for the game, having just come from a shellacking of UP. The game couldn't have started any better, with a spectacular set play punctuated by a two-handed alley oop jam by UE big man Elmer Espiritu, on a marvelous assist from Rudy Lingganay.
More highlights followed: JR Cawaling keeping FEU in the game with timely hits off the bench, including a buzzer beating 3 pointer to give them a one point lead at the end of the 1st quarter. UE bruiser Pari Llagas consistently getting free underneath to finish with a season high in points. UE opening up a 10 point lead to start the 3rd quarter only to be answered by Benedict Fernandez's personal 10 point run to tie the score, including two triples. Elmer Espiritu rejecting Aldrich Ramos underneath and wagging the finger ala Dikembe Mutombo, only to be blocked himself by Ramos on the next play, and the next. Marlon Adolfo beating the shot clock buzzer on consecutive possessions, the second on a fall away three pointer from the right corner to give FEU the lead. Robert Kave and Hans Thiele matching up on both ends and each having his moment to shine.
The hustle and intensity was evident on both sides from start to finish and the shooting was near flawless; near the middle of the 3rd quarter, the teams were shooting 70% and 50% from the field up to that point. In the end, FEU rode the bigger emotional wave to upset UE 71-69, showing spunk, unity and contributions from a lot of players - Andy Barroca, Cawaling, Adolfo, Ramos, Knuttel, Cervantes, Kave all played key roles in the victory.
As the final buzzer sounded, many of the FEU players were in tears and pointing to the #12 stitched on their jerseys. Studio 23's Eric Tipan commented "Baracael was all over their jerseys, their shoes and thier hearts". Local college basketball (the UAAP and the NCAA) has been threatened by syndicates trying to undermine the purity of the game, but today's amazing UE-FEU match, though sadly fueled by tragedy, will hopefully be a signal that it will take more than dirty referees, guns, and over/unders to destroy the game.
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