6 Points: AdMU vs. NU (Round 2)

Ateneo 61, National U 39

-The thirteenth game of the Blue Eagles did have some elements of bad luck in it, part of which includes poor outside shooting. However, luck did not even play a big factor in this game. Instead it was their trademark defense that got them going in the second half against the Bulldogs, who were now done for the season and could pack their bags after their fourteenth game. By the way, this season's Blue Eagles made another entry into the record books by allowing the fewest recorded points since 2004.

-Nico Salva truly became a dominant force this season, and this game was not an exception. He tallied 14 big points, as one of the four Blue Eagles who scored in double digits, which includes one of the three dunks in the game (one was from Slaughter, while the other, albeit missed, was by Bobby Ray Parks who was seen limping after the failed feat). Evidently, Salva already got his game going, and if this continues, then the Blue Eagles will be more dangerous entering the last game of the season.

-The Blue Eagles made explicit the key to beat the Bulldogs: clamp down Parks and Mbe, and the game is yours. Kirk Long showed how he can play defense, as he used his speed and athleticism to neutralize Parks, a twenty-something scorer who only had 10 markers that day. Also, Greg Slaughter and Frank Golla (who recovered from a mild sprain that hindered him from playing against UP) took turns defending Emmanuel Mbe, who settled for throw-ups rather than clean jumpers and lay ups and ending up with 10 points as well.

-Surprisingly, coupled with bad luck, the Blue Eagles found themselves in a tight game during the first half, even having consecutive turnovers from each team as if they were passing the balls to their opponents. But come second half, the boys did what Coach Norman Black usually tells them: play their D, and let the offense take care of itself. And it turned out to be effective for the Blue Eagles, who unofficially ended the game by the end of the third quarter, after Kiefer Ravena's buzzer beating trey.

-Bad luck struck the Ateneo bench in terms of offense, with only Golla and Tonino Gonzaga scoring for them, tallying 10 points together. The rest, however, which includes Justin Chua (who has been scoring big prior to this game) were firing blanks. But then, the role of the bench right now is to keep the game going while the starters rest, so it may not be totally bad for the Blue Eagles.

-Perhaps this game is an indicator that the Blue Eagles are really in a good place right now to grab that sweep and hence an easy Finals ticket. With such defensive dominance and an offense that clicks at the right time, it would be certain that they will pounce on Adamson quickly and extend the streak to 29. Thus, the more important question: will it be the usual knockout Final 4 game, or a stepladder match?

The scores:

Ateneo 61 – Salva 14, Slaughter 13, Ravena 12, Long 10, Gonzaga 6, Golla 4, Monfort 2, Tiongson 0, Sumalinog 0, Chua 0, Austria 0

NU 39 – Parks 10, Mbe 10, Javillonar 9, Alolino 4, Ignacio 4, Neypes 2, Villamor 0, Roño 0, Celiz 0, Khobuntin 0, Terso 0

Quarter scoring: 12-11, 26-19, 48-27, 61-39

Credits to Fabilioh.com for the pic, and Inboundpass for the box scores.