6 Points: AdMU vs. AdU (Round 2)

Ateneo 55, Adamson 52

-Let's not fret too much about Jumbo Escueta's shorts. Despite being slapped a technical foul during the start of the second half, the Eagles managed to face the tough situation which brought them back to Round 1, eventually getting over it and seal the twice-to-beat advantage.
-Two double-doubles in a game? Ryan Buenafe and Nico Salva provided most of the spunk during the game, managing to grab half of Ateneo's boards as well as those important baskets.
-Emman Monfort was a key player to the two games against Adamson this year. He was able to sink in all his crucial free throws to seal the win for the Eagles. We hope to see more clutch performances from him during the games where we need to really win.
-Why wouldn't we have games that are fairly officiated? Referees, better be careful with your calls.
-It was disappointing that Art dela Cruz was not able to step up in the game. Gunning for Rookie of the Year honors, I think that he get over his slump and bring his old form back.
-And now, onwards to beating FEU. Time to seal the first spot and schedule the battle with La Salle.


Ateneo 55 – Buenafe 14, Salva 13, Long 10, Salamat 7, Monfort 7, Chua 4, Escueta 0, dela Cruz 0, Tiongson 0, Golla 0, Austria 0.

Adamson 52 – Alvarez 22, Nuyles 14, Loazada 6, Colina 3, Camson 3, Galinato 3, Manyara 1, Cabrera 1, Stinnett 0, Cañada 0.

Quarter scoring: 16-10, 22-21, 41-34, 55-52.

Inboundpass.com for the box, Fabilioh.com for the picture.

6 Points: AdMU vs. UE (Round 2)

Ateneo 60, UE 62

-Against FEU, it was team chemistry. Against La Salle, it was closing out. For UE, it was catching up late. These were the lessons that the Eagles need to learn in their losses.
-Last game was The Eagles at their best. This game was at their worst. Though they had a good run at the end of the third, various errors that went alongside bad calls hounded the Hail Mary Squad.
-Perhaps it was UE's pesky offense that drained Ateneo's energy, that despite playing great defense, swingman Kirk Long was unable to finish and bring the bacon home. In place of Paul Lee, James Martinez hit crucial back-to-back threes to put UE up four minutes left.
-Art dela Cruz's fumble revealed much about the rookie: he ought to work on his game more not in terms of skill but in terms of dealing with pressure.
-For some reason, Eric Salamat took the game personally and carried it all by himself. Where was team basketball when we need it the most?
-It has been an annual thing for Ateneo to lose to a non-contender. Hopefully the loss will pump them up and provide the spunk needed to beat Adamson on Sunday.

UE 62 – Martinez 22, Rosopa 12, Lee 9, Acibar 7, Reyes 6, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Zamar 0, Sumido 0, Duran 0.

Ateneo 60 – Salamat 16, Escueta 10, Monfort 9, Chua 9, Buenafe 5, Long 4, dela Cruz 3, Tiongson 2, Golla 2. Salva 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.

Quarter scoring: 10-8, 27-27, 38-45, 62-60.

Fabilioh.com for the picture, Inboundpass.com for the box.

6 Points: AdMU vs. dLSU (Round 2)

Ateneo 74, La Salle 57

-Revenge is a dish best served damn cold... at the right place, the right time, and the right circumstance. It was a Blue Sunday as the Blue Eagles took advantage of their hot shooting and La Salle's cold spells to pull away as early as the second half.
-By now, it is obvious who the next King Eagle will be. Chipping in 22 points, with four out of five shots from behind the arc. He also played great defense, picking a few pockets from the terribly lousy La Salle guards and making significant defensive stops throughout the game.
-In Nico Salva's absence, there is Art dela Cruz. The rookie of the year candidate stepped up and had his big double-double performance with 10 points and 10 boards. His unblockable left ook shot is something that reminds us of how afraid everyone was five years ago when Mac Cardona holds the ball.
-The Blue Squad should be happy with how the game went, from start to end. The Blue Eagles' first string was able to rest late in the second and third quarters without anything to be worried about. The bench, led by dela Cruz and Emman Monfort were able to hold on to the big lead, even extending it to 25.
-For the information of everyone, Ateneo's win over La Salle extended the season winning streak to six, three of those being blow out games (including this). This is a new team, very different from Season 72, but with the same determination to grab another championship before the Slaughterhouse commences.
-The referees ought to be given lessons on making good foul calls. Jovet Mendoza scoring 20 points, most of those from the charity stripe? Oh, come on.

Ateneo 74 – Long 22, dela Cruz 10, Buenafe 9, Salva 9, Monfort 7, Salamat 6, Golla 6, Austria 3, Escueta 2, Chua 2, Erram 0, Tiongson 0.

DLSU 57 – Mendoza 20, Villanueva 7, Andrada 6, Tampus 5, Tolentino 5, Atkins 5, Marata 4, de la Paz 3, Webb 2, Vosotros 0, Paredes 0, Elorde 0, Ferdinand 0, Banal 0.

Quarter scoring: 19-11, 39-21, 61-40, 74-57.

Inboundpass.com for the box, and our favorite fabilioh.com for the picture.

6 Points: AdMU vs. NU (Round 2)

Ateneo 69, NU 49

-Ladies and gentlemen, the color of the SM Advantage Card is blue. With everyone pumped up and ready to play team game, the Eagles cruised through and found the key to winning against NU (who, of course, is without Glenn Khobuntin and, later in the game, Joseph Terso).
-We have seen in this game the best play of Season 73. The scoring chains of Ryan Buenafe has been unleashed and he is now ready to destroy the interior defense of everyone going against the Blue Squad.
-Unexpectedly, Chris de Chavez was able to make that chance shot to seal the victory with a 20-point lead.
-Justin Chua's defense on Melvin Baloran and Emmanuel Mbe has been truly remarkable. He was able to shove them out of their comfort zones, as they struggled on the inside.
-There were a lot of bricks raining down. Even though Ateneo literally had eight opponents on the court during the fourth quarter, it was a good thing that Mbe is actually a bad free throw shooter.
-All roads now lead to revenge. Definitely the biggest regular season fight of this year.


Ateneo 69 – Buenafe 14, Chua 10, Monfort 9, Salva 7, dela Cruz 6, Salamat 6, Long 6, Golla 4, de Chavez 4, Tiongson 3, Escuate 0, Erram 0, Balmaceda 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.

NU 49 – Mbe 13, Ponferrada 12, Hermosisima 7, Terso 6, Baloran 3, Ludovice 2, Javillonar 2, Ignacio 2, Eriobu 2, Tungcul 0, Singh 0, Malanday 0, Magat 0.

Quarter scoring: 20-13, 42-25, 53-36, 69-49.

Inboundpass for the box, Fabilioh for the pictures, and SM for the blue Advantage card.

6 Points: AdMU vs. UP (Round 2)

Ateneo 75, UP 59

-It's the second straight game to have everything but Twitter and text; however, details given by the Ateneo Twitter page would be enough to judge that this is a blowout game.
-Eman Monfort broke his own silence and exploded for 23 points. We've been waiting for this.
-On the other end, it shows that the Eagles need some consistency from the starters. Justin Chua was able to start doing his homework, who had hot hands as well during that game.
-Nico Salva has to shoot less and move more. His broken finger got him during that time.
-An Alvin Padilla and Woody Co run tried to catch up with the Eagles, and it is good that during that time, the Eagles were ready to man up and defend well.
-Expect more minutes (and creativity) from rookie Art De la Cruz. He might be the next big thing from the bench.

Ateneo 75 – Monfort 23, Chua 16, Buenafe 12, Salamat 9, dela Cruz 6, Golla 4, Long 3, Salva 2, Escueta 0, Erram 0, Tiongson 0, de Chavez 0, Austria 0.

UP 59 – Ma. Reyes 15, Co 13, Silungan 11, Sison 10, Padilla 6, Saret 2, Manuel 2, Mi. Reyes 0, Maniego 0, Hipolito 0, Juruena 0, Gomez 0.

Quarter scoring: 17-16, 37-29, 57-43, 75-59

Fabilioh.com for the picture. Inboundpass for the box.

The Potential of the Falcons' Lester Alvarez

From just a simple playmaker to a clutch shooter and closer, it could be that Lester Alvarez of the Adamson Falcons could be the next big thing. Here is an interview poster by Rick Olivares, with him talking about the experience of playing (and winning) against La Salle.

6 Points: AdMU vs. UE

Ateneo 80, UE 73

-Just when you thought that everything's already sealed, the Warriors came out hot on shooting (which, stats would say, is an unlikely thing to happen considering the fact that the Red Warriors shot poorly from beyond the arc), while the Eagles just couldn't get good looks... until the fourth quarter.
-In this game we see how "important" Frank Golla is as part of the Eagles rotation, as well as his contribution on defense. Without him, UE big men Sam Razon and Ken Acibar continued to get good looks from inside, causing problems on Ateneo's frontcourt defense.
-The individual members of the Blue Squad gets better, while Eric Salamat gets his form back. Yes, it's the return of the Salute. He chipped in 23 points including two crucial three-pointers in the fourth to catch up with Paul Lee and the Red Warriors.
-Tiongson is the closer. Chongson is the loser.
-We should stop those sloppy first half performances. Seriously.
-And each member of the sixth man, as I see it, dislikes the possession arrow. Why can't we just have those Season 71-72 rules on ball possession?

Ateneo 80 – Salamat 23, Salva 13, Chua 13, Long 10, dela Cruz 6, Monfort 6, Tiongson 4, Austria 3, Gonzaga 2, Escueta 0, Erram 0, Golla 0, Buenafe 0.

UE 73 – Lee 16, Acibar 14, Razon 11, Reyes 11, Martinez 8, Zamar 6, Rosopa 4, Tagarda 3, Enguio 0.

Quarter scoring: 19-17, 36-37, 51-57, 80-73.

Inboundpass.com for the box scores, Fabilioh for the picture.

6 Points: AdMU vs. UP

Ateneo 78, UP 53

-Again, a Twitterrific view in the middle of work, thanks to a few updates.
-This might not be a good game to watch for the nation's scholars. It is good that the Eagles today assured us of a win.
-Magi Sison still in his seemingly nonexistent presence in the court. Plus, there is this stupid decision by UP to put an injured Woody Co in when facing a 23-point deficit.
-This game proves that the third string can do something. I hope we see more of Tiongson, Balmaceda, and, wait for it, Jeric Estrada.
-Sloppy first quarter performances should not be a trend. UP might have fought well, but when Ateneo pumps it up, there's no one who can slow down their momentum on both ends.
-It's still too early to say that Ateneo returned shooting well from beyond the arc. Let's see if we can jack up well-placed threes in our later games.

Scores:

Ateneo 78 - Salva 18, Tiongson 13, Salamat 12, Golla 8, Chua 8, Escueta 6, Long 3, Estrada 2, Dela Cruz 2, Monfort 2, Buenafe 2, Austria 2, Erram 0, Balmaceda 0, Gonzaga 0, De Chavez 0

UP 53 - Sison 13, Padilla 12, Lopez 6, Silungan 5, Co 5, Gomez 4, Reyes Ma. 3, Reyes Mi. 2, Juruena 2, Manuel 1, Saret 0, Maniego 0, Hipolito 0, Gingerich 0

A.Dy for the updates, The Ateneo twitter for the very useful information, Fabilioh.com for the photo.

Boxed Reality: Sunday Basketball (01 August 2010)

UAAP

FEU Tamaraws (6-0) vs. AdU Soaring Falcons (3-2)


FEU 74 – Garcia 16, Ramos 13, Noundou 11, Knuttel 10, Exciminiano 8, Cervantes 6, Cawaling 5, Romeo 3, Cruz 2, Mendoza 0, Bringas 0, Sanga 0.

Adamson 65 – Nuyles 23, Cañada 11, Camson 8, Alvarez 7, Colina 4, Cabrera 4, Stinnett 2, Manyara 2, Lozada 2, Basilio 2, Etrone 0, Galinato 0.

Quarter scoring: 24-18, 42-32, 58-49, 74-65.

DLSU Green Archers (4-2) vs. UST Growling Tigers (3-3)

DLSU 61 – Mendoza 12, Vosotros 8, de la Paz, 8, Villanueva 8, Atkins 7, Tolentino 6, Andrada 6, Tampus 2, Paredes 2, Marata 2, Webb 0, Ferdinand 0.

UST 53 – Bautista 18, Camus 18, Mariano 8, Afuang 6, Pe 4, Teng 2, Fortuna 2, Daquioag 0, Marquez 0, Aytona 0.

Quarter scoring: 15-12, 37-22, 47-33, 61-53.

PBA

Game 6 - Alaska Aces vs. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Series tied at 3-3.

ALASKA 94—Simpson 21, De Vance 19, Baguio 14, Tenorio 12, Dela Cruz 11, Borboran 8, Hugnatan 8, Fonacier 1.

TALK ‘N TEXT 83—Alapag 20, Castro 19, Daniels 16, Williams 11, De Ocampo 7, Dillinger 4, Carey 3, Cardona 2, Yee 1, Aban 0.

Quarter scoring: 31-17, 54-43, 77-63, 94-83

Game 6 - San Miguel Beermen vs. B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados
SMB Wins Series, 4-2, enter PBA Finals

San Miguel 91--Freeman 26, Washington 18, Santos 14, Cabagnot 12, Yeo 8, Hontiveros 5, Ildefonso 5, Villanueva 3, Pena 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 83--Washam 30, Yap. R. 15, Yap J. 14, Simon 6, Artadi 5, Pingris 5, Reavis 4, Maierhofer 2, Allado 2, Canaleta 0, Adducul 0.

Quarter scoring: 25-16, 51-42, 71-58, 91-83

Inboundpass.com for UAAP box and Inquirer for the PBA Box

6 Points: AdMU vs. NU

Ateneo 82, National U 65

-Determination became the key for the Eagles. Having known that they can't upset everyone by losing two straight games, they were able to respond to the urgent situation, and strategically made modifications. What a glorious comeback for the Eagles.
-We were weak from beyond the arc, but it was our key to increasing our lead against NU. We only had a couple missed shots from three, and Kirk Long and Eric Salamat beat the dogs with good threes of their own. Kudos to Emman Monfort and Juami Tiongson as well.
-Where Ateneo came out lucky in this game, NU did not. Though Hermosisima and Malanday shot their own threes as a response to Ateneo's zone defense which clamps down on the inside, they went cold when it mattered most. What happened was that everyone just jacked up three-point shots with the hopes of clawing their way back into the fourth (like La Salle did); however, all of those were useless.
-To those who were critical of Ryan Buenafe's gameplay, perhaps there is a reason to be. In this game, all he did was to set up flash passes. It's a good thing that Kirk Long was able to balance this by playing smooth basketball fundamentals. The coaching staff ought to discipline Ryan and force him to play like he was during his rookie season.
-Highlight of the week: Salute back to Eric Salamat, for he deserves it. He did what he had to do as a King Eagle, playing well all through out and, more than that, leading the team to become a "closing team," that is, the whole team doing everything to close the game out and seal the win.
-We ought to have enough losses for round one. Pump it up, man up, and play good basketball… and the Sixth Man ought to be one with the team.

Scores:
Ateneo 82 – Salamat 20, Long 19, Salva 14, Dela Cruz 6, Golla 6, Tiongson 5, Monfort 5, Gonzaga 3, Escueta 2, Buenafe 2, Erram 0, Chua 0, Austria 0

NU 65 – Hermosisima 18, Malanday 12, Mbe 11, Khobuntin 7, Terso 5, Magat 4, Javillonar 3, Ponferrada 3, Tungcul 2, Ludovice 0, Singh 0, Baloran 0
Quarter scoring: 11-17, 33-34, 61-48, 82-65

Thanks to inboundpass for the box score, my Metaphysics professor and team chaplain, Fr. Nemy Que, SJ for the pic.