Six years after their first title showdown, Norman Black and Pido Jarencio face each other again on the sidelines in this year’s men’s basketball finals. (FCF File Photos)

After 16 games – 14 in the elimination round, and 2 in the playoffs so far – it has come down to this: a match between the two top seeds, and two of the winningest teams in recent memory in the men’s basketball division.

Instead of boring you all with a breakdown of the different statistical categories, we will break down some of the side stories that surrounds this series:

Hard drive for five: A season of ups and downs

During the past six seasons, Ateneo de Manila has been the most dominant force in the men’s basketball scene, winning it all in the past four seasons and making it into the finals five times.

In previous years, University of Santo Tomas (1993-96) and De La Salle University (1998-2001) have attempted to complete their own versions of drive for five but saw their runs falling short.

This season’s version of the Blue Eagles showed a lot of chinks in their once invincible armor and seemed to be a shadow of the once-dominant blue machines of the past.

Worse, the abrupt pullout of chief financier Manuel V. Pangilinan during their late stages of their elimination round push has put the future of the school’s academic and athletic programs in serious doubt.

In the final four, the Blue Eagles barely survived their rivals in a thrilling finish.

With this being the final year of key players Nico Salva and Greg Slaughter, together with head coach Norman Black, this may be the last time that the Ateneo five may have a taste of the championship in a long while.

Seeking History: Tigers aiming for 19th men’s crown

For the boys from España, they are all making it into the final round for the first-time ever in their seniors careers. Just a year removed from their institution’s 400th year anniversary, they now have a chance to gain their 19th men’s basketball title.

Depending on which version of history you will proscribe to, a potential title will either (a) tie Far Eastern University’s total of 19, or (b) break their tie with University of the East and make them the program with the most men’s basketball titles in UAAP history.

Speaking of history, Ateneo has never defeated UST when these two teams meet in the Finals, which is an ominous sign for the five-straight championship-seeking Blue Eagles.

However, it must be reminded that we are no longer living in the past, but we are in the present where the Katipunan five has been dominant in recent years.

Ravena vs Ferrer: Coming full circle

Both former juniors standouts, former national youth squad teammates, Most Valuable Players, top rookies last season, and now head-to-head in this year’s title showdown.

Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Ferrer are the faces of their respective teams in this series.

Ravena, last year’s Rookie of the Year, already has a seniors’ basketball title from last season under his belt. Ferrer, who was key in their one-game disposal of National University a week ago, is now seeking his first title in the seniors’ ranks.

It was back in Season 73 – two years ago – when these two explosive guard met head-to-head for the title for Ateneo and UST. Despite Ferrer winning the season’s MVP plum, it was Ravena’s Blue Eaglets that won the “two to win three” finals showdown to win the title after sweeping the double round eliminations.

During the summer prior to Season 74, both players decided to stay home – Ravena to AdMU, and Ferrer to UST – and continue to bring glory to their respective alma maters.

Last season, Ravena’s Blue Eagles barely escaped the Growling Tigers in their Final Four showdown that went down the wire. Eventually, the second-generation hoopster gained the Rookie of the Year citation and claimed his first seniors’ title over Far Eastern University.

Now that both players are once again locking horns, expect guns ablaze in this one-on-one showdown.

Repeat of Season 69?

Still smarting from a painful and bitter defeat six years ago, Norman Black would like to vanquish the ghosts of 2006 in his final season as Blue Eagles’ head coach.

Despite the characters changing, the story remains the same: Ateneo – still the heavy favorites, UST – the underdogs.

In that series, Ateneo captured Game 1 on a thrilling last-second shot by Doug Kramer on a blindsided play, but UST completed a series comeback by capturing the next two games. This series loss eventually became the fuel for Ateneo’s success, as they have won four of the last five titles since that year.

As for UST? They captured the #4 seed in three of the last five seasons and finally captured their highest placing in the Final Four era since 1999, where they lost in the Finals against De La Salle University. This may be the year that the Growling Tigers would return the glory back to España, and in a very big way.

Expect this series to be a fight to the finish, with either team making history for their respective school.

—–
Follow the author on Twitter: @fcf_diego