Basketball is a game from which we can glean a lot of lessons from. From teamwork,hardwork discipline and a host of other values.

Last Sunday was a classic basketball game between the Ateneo Blue Eagles vs the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

The was just one second on the clock. The Tigers were jubilant, celebratory. The Eagles were somber as Coach Norman Black plotted the last play. With one second left, the only option was a catch-and-shoot scenario.

Shooters from ADMU were fielded in. Escalona, a guard was to make the inbound pass. In cases like these, it is usually the big man who makes it. But that was part of the plan.

With the ball in play, 2 shooters of Ateneo made their cuts to the side, with their guards trailing close. The other shooter slides out near the top of the three point line, with the trailing guard on him and the center who double up on him, leaving the man least likely to make the shot free to slide near the basket. Escalona loops the ball over the big man harrassing his inbound pass straight to Kramer who makes the open shot in the nick of time.

Ateneo wins with a one point lead. Game over.

The lessons:

1. There is always hope.
2. The game is not over until the last buzzer.
3. No matter how big you are, somebody can always pass the ball over you.
4. Basketball is a team game.
5. It is not always the best player who wins the game.
6. The player who is at the right place at the right time makes the bucket. And it is not luck which placed him there.
7. Things are not always what they seem.
8. Communication is the key to victory.
9. Miscommunication is the key to defeat.
10. And lastly, losing is not the end of the world. There is always the next game.
11. Losing teaches you lessone you will never forget.

Marc Macalua has the highlight here.

PS: I was rooting for the underdog but enjoyed the game immensely. This is comparable to the last shot win of Russia VS USA a long time ago in the Olympics.