ICE water ran through Ateneo de Manila University’s veins against one of the country’s oldest academic institutions.
The Blue Eagles pulled through when it mattered the most and carved out a 64-57 triumph over University of Santo Tomas to give them the solo lead at the end of the first round of eliminations of the 71st UAAP seniors basketball tournament last August 3, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Point guard Jai Reyes’ trey with 6:49 left in the third quarter gave the Blue Eagles their biggest lead, 39-29. And when the Tigers clawed their way back to a 54-52 lead thanks to back-to-back Khasim Mirza treys, the playmaker from Ateneo de Manila High School capped off a furious 9-0 run with a triple of his own with just 24 seconds left in the game.
Ateneo coach Norman Black said Reyes’ timely baskets underscored the squad’s tenacity on the defensive end, especially in the endgame.
“We just got back from what gave us a good start and that is playing good defense. We were beaten off the boards, but we made some good stops down the stretch and that was the most important thing,” said Black, whose wards improved to 6-1.
The Blue Eagles display a balanced attack against the Growling Tigers, with Rabeh Al-Hussaini leading the way with 17 points. Chris Tiu had 14, Ryan Buenafe added 12 and Reyes chipped in with 10.
Ex-West Negros College Mustang Nonoy Baclao had another splendid game as well, registering four blocks to go along with 11 rebounds.
All in all, Ateneo held the Tigers to just 26 percent from the field despite being outrebounded, 58-42.
Forward Dylan Ababou led UST, which dropped to 3-4, with 15 points. Big man Jervy Cruz was held to just eight points, and forced to take medium-range jumpers in lieu of his power game on the low block.
The scores:
Ateneo 64 – Al-Hussaini 17, Tiu 14, Buenafe 12, Reyes 10, Salamat 3, Baldos 2, Baclao 2, Nkemakolam 2, Long 1, Salva 1, Escueta 0, Austria 0.
THERE won’t be a 14-game sweep of the elimination round this season.
Far Eastern University ended Ateneo de Manila’s quest to emulate the 2007 University of the East Red Warriors after scoring a come-from-behind 72-66 win in the 71st UAAP seniors basketball tournament last July 31, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum.
FEU displayed remarkable endgame poise and leaned on the heroics of forward Aldrech Ramos and slotman Reil Cervantes to hand Ateneo its first loss and in the process share the top post together with its victims and defending champion De La Salle University at 5-1.
In doing so, the Tamaraws also rendered Ateneo big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini’s career-high 33 points academic. The ex-Philippine Christian University Baby Dolphin’s output was the highest since Adamson slotman Kenneth Bono recorded the same output in the elimination round two years ago.
“My big men struggle every time they face Ateneo because of Al-Hussaini. But in the endgame, we able to stop them,” said FEU coach Glen Capacio.
Al-Hussaini missed a crucial short jumper, which almost extend the Eagles’ 66-65 lead entering the final minute. Ramos, who had 12 points, scored the go-ahead jumper in the ensuing play to give FEU a 67-66 lead with 47 ticks to go.
FEU’s solid defense then prevented Chris Tiu from scoring the much-needed basket in the pivotal seconds, which cost Ateneo the game.
Asked if Mac Baracael, FEU’s fallen forward, was still the catalyst of the team’s strong play, Capacio said: “I don’t know what it is. Maybe it is the desire and the heart of the players who are working now.”
The Tamaraws have won two straight games since Baracael was shot by a still unknown assailant a week ago. According to Capacio, center Robert Kave has decided to leave the team to return to Papua New Guinea tomorrow.
Kave was with Baracael and Ron Cabagnot when the incident happened outside the FEU Gym along Morayta.
The Tams, despite not finding any answers to Al-Hussaini’s onslaught, still managed to claw back into the game thanks to solid guard play.
After Al-Hussaini scored on two free throws to hand the Blue Eagles a 60-57 lead at the 4:53 mark, FEU guards Andy Barroca and Benedict Fernandez combined to move FEU to move within a basket at 65-66, with 1:21 left.
The loss was painful, especially for the Katipunan faithful, who were celebrating the feast day of the founder of the Jesuit order, St. Ignatius. Ateneo seemed to have the game under control after erecting a 56-46 lead early in the fourth, where Al-Hussaini looked unstoppable in the shaded lane.
Reil Cervantes, who led the Tams with 14 points and 13 rebounds, put the finishing touches on his squad’s win with a two-handed slam in the dying seconds of the ballgame.
Attention: Ateneans and Ateneo Blue Eagle fans
What: Blue Eagles vs. Green Archers (Round 1)
Where: Araneta Coliseum
When: July 6, 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 4:00pm
As the 6th man (or woman), let us prepare for our first battle this UAAP season. Practice your cheers! Put on your Ateneo shirts this Sunday! And don’t forget to PRAY!
