The Final Score: Ryan Buenafe says ho ho ho

Ho ho ho. So Ryan Buenafe liked Manang’s inihaw na liempo too much. Ha ha ha. Quips about his body mass index were shared this season like potato chips at a party. Yet in Game 2 of the UAAP Finals between Ateneo and FEU, he threw his weight around like he owned the place.

People criticized Buenafe’s conditioning. Fans even questioned his desire to succeed. I suppose believing in Buenafe is like believing in Santa Claus. You need faith. Oh, the Santa Claus comparison had nothing to do with girth. It’s pure coincidence. Then again, Buenafe is Santa Claus in blue sneakers. No really, don’t laugh. Underneath the jiggling arms, thunder thighs and paunch that makes his post-up moves more potent, is a pulse attuned to winning. And if you were good all year, patient with Buenafe’s enigma, expect goodies at the end of the calendar.

Or just wait for the defining moment of a season.

With less than 30 seconds left in Game 2, Ateneo ahead 61-59, Buenafe held the ball. He victimized FEU defenders all day with a variety of side-step drives and up-and-under lay-ups which reminded us of Bong Hawkins, Charles Barkley and an NFL lineman all at once. Thus, it made perfect sense that he had the ball. It didn’t make sense, however, that he was outside the three-point line. Oh excuse me, I meant the professional three-point line.

He shot threes like Shaquille O’Neal all season. When he did, he often looked like he was firing a Frisbee at the rim. Then, with a championship on the line, on an isolation play he didn’t have to demand, saddled by three-peat aspirations, burdened by the additional weight he’s not supposed to carry, he decides to fire away a dagger of a three-pointer like he’s Steve Kerr.

Many years back, during a summer game of minimal consequence between two high school teams, Buenafe arrived late. I presumed he jumped out of bed and straight into his San Sebastian jersey. Without the benefit of warming up, minus the guidance of a pregame pep-talk, he joined the game in progress. He destroyed the opposition with a wink, a yawn and a near triple-double. All he asks is that you have faith.

Look, Buenafe isn’t a rah-rah player. Even as UAAP Rookie of the Year, he took veterans to school. Going to school, however, was never as simple as A-B-C. He won’t make it two days with Bobby Knight. Yet he’s found a way to finish each of his three UAAP seasons with a championship ring on his finger.

One big game and the jokes stop (for now). One big three-point shot and Ateneo schedules Christmas in September. Ho ho ho. Whether he’s naughty or nice, Buenafe, now a UAAP three-peat winner, always gets the last laugh. Mr. Buenafe, for winning Finals MVP with all the tonnage any 6’2" college player can bear, you can have Jumbo Escueta’s extra rice during the Eagles’ championship bonfire and no one will complain.

Mico Halili, GMA News