3 Letters, 2 Teams, 1 Prize.

By Migs

(Photo courtesy of fabilioh.com)

Pictures speak a thousand words. The one posted here, though, can pretty much be summed up in 3 letters.

M-V-P.

After Ateneo Center Rabeh Al Hussaini's stellar 31 point performance against the Green Archers in Game 1 of the UAAP Finals last Sunday, all that's left to do is to hand the "Rabman" over the trophy.

Not since the days halcyon days of Ateneo ball in 2002 have the Eagles had a big man in their lineup so dominating and so fundmentally sound on offense. While Ford Arao had a breakout year in Season 70, his performance parallels the skills of a Sam Perkins more than it does a Tim Duncan, who, cooly enough, Rabeh has managed to mimic in 2008.

What makes Rabeh difficult to supress is his ability to run the floor, and his proficiency at netting mid range jump shots. Compared to seasons past, Al Hussaini's improved at catching passes in the high/low post, and he's improved passing off of double teams, too.

Chris Tiu, Yuri Escueta, and maybe Jai Reyes (there is talk that "Jainamite" might not return for a 5th go around with the Blue Eagles next season) will be hanging up their Blue and White garbs after this year's festivities come to a close, but with a core of Rabeh, ace rookie Ryan Buenafe, and human fly swatter Nonoy Baclao, Ateneo seems poised to make a few more runs at glory in the years to come.

If any of you managed to watch the Ateneo Blue Eaglets beat the FEU Baby Tamaraws over the weekend, then you'd know that, should ADMU be able to keep the likes of JV Dumrique, Kiefer Ravena, and AJ Banal in the fold come college, then the good times should keep rolling.

I mentioned in a previous post that I thought that the Eagles would probably manage finish off DLSU this coming Thursday towards winning their first UAAP championship in six years and their second in the last two decades. Despite having said that, expect the Archers to come out swinging in Game 2. While they're going to have to shoot exceptionally well from the outside in order to steal one for Taft, the Green and White will have one thing immediately in their favor come Thursday- a kill or be killed swagger. Back a wounded animal into a corner, and, sometimes, you can most dangerous sort of aggressiveness out of it. Give a dog a steak, and sometimes, it becomes complacent. It isn't that Ateneo will get lazy or lose heart come Round 2, but then, if they start slow, and allow the Archers to come out of the blocks with a lot of energy, then, they might get themselves under-rug-swept. The Blue and White has had a tendency to start a bit slow at times this season, and Franz Pumaren and company should take advantage of this bad habit their nemeses possess.

One thing's for certain- both of these squads are championship-caliber teams. Fans, basketball pundits, know when two teams have true skill beyond just having grit, and vice-versa. Araneta Coliseum's ticket booths being mobbed is evidence of this fact.

Talking any further would only serve to irk pundits dying for the hours to pass 'til Thursday.

This is the calm before the storm.

Irregardless of who triumphs in this series' second salvo, we're in for a perfect storm, one that will surely feature "tears" and "destruction" for one side, and the aftermath, filled with the most beautiful rainbow-tattooed skyline, accorded to the eventual victor.

__________________________________________________________