Ateneo 74, UE 70
-There will always be days like this, when the team is not shooting well and almost everyone was too lazy to defend. But then, why does this have to happen to the same team that nearly got the blue boys when they were half-asleep? The Red Warriors once again threatened to take a win from Ateneo (which they successfully did against De La Salle almost a week ago), but the Blue Eagles held on to a safe four-point advantage by the sound of the final buzzer.
-On the other hand, props to the Red Warriors who have always played their hundred percent when they face the Blue Eagles, despite having a poor record that seems to pose no hopes of making it into the Final Four (but then, who knows?). The Blue Eagles were even lucky to have them as opponents before the bout with the Green Archers, as the Red Warriors have shown them situations that they might face as well when they come to face the greenies. Part of their success was due to their luck in making jumpers, while the rest were that of Paul Zamar and J.M. Noble, the one who played the game of his life as he had his way with 21 points, including a big three that put UE closer during the dying seconds of the game. Too bad, their opponent was too calm and too clutch for down-the-wire games like these.
-Fortunately, when all shots from the outside didn't come in, Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena rescued the Blue Eagles. The former got himself in position during the whole game, taking on every Red Warrior big man banged at him, while the latter made turnover baskets that turned the tide after the first half, when UE takes a four point lead at 37-33. We just can't stop praising these two blue chips; nevertheless, they deserve this. On the other hand, Nico Salva's jumper was found nowhere, with him hitting only one of twelve, with most of them failed jumpers that he used to hit the previous game against UST.
-The bench also played relatively well on the offensive bench, with their 18 points well spread among them. Tonino Gonzaga, the most consistent one from the bench so far, led the pack with 7 points, followed by Chua's six markers, two of them from midrange.
-But highest individual praises should be given to Emman Monfort, who, a lot of people have been talking about as the best point guard this season. He tallied 13 markers, 6 boards, 6 dimes, and a steal, but his most important contribution was basically that which he does best: making those clutch free throws to give Ateneo the win.
-Perhaps we might also skip what was given and branded as plain stupidity, that Lourd Casajeros flopped and it worked for him.
The Scores:
Ateneo 74 – Slaughter 19, Monfort 13, Ravena 12, Long 7, Gonzaga 7, Chua 6, Salva 5, Austria 3, Golla 2, Sumalinog 0
UE 70 – Noble 21, Zamar 15, Duran 8, Casajeros 7, Enguio 6, Javier 4, Sumido 3, Sumang 2, Santos 2, Tagarda 2, Flores 0
Quarter scoring: 15-17, 33-37, 56-49, 74-70
Credits to Fr. Nemy Que, SJ for the pic, and Inboundpass for the box scores.
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