Eagles overcome shaky start to beat Maroons
University of the Philippines started strong but five-peat-seeking Ateneo de Manila finished stronger.
Falling back on its vaunted offense, the Blue Eagles overcame an early scare from the determined Fighting Maroons and scrambled for a 76-70 victory Thursday that extended its winning streak to three in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Nico Salva pumped in 11 of his game-high 21 points while center Greg Slaughter fired nine of his 13 markers as the Blue Eagles unleashed their full might with a 29-point barrage in the third canto that enabled them to take full control and improve their record 4-1.
Kiefer Ravena added 11 points and six boards while Oping Sumalinog scattered 10 markers–spiked by two treys–in the second half to help Ateneo weather a fast-starting Fighting Maroons crew.
“They (UP) shocked us a little bit in the first half, but we settled down in the second half and got back on playing defense,” stressed Ateneo coach Norman Black.
Despite the win, Black rued his team’s lackadaisical defensive effort especially in the perimeter area where the Maroons camped out for 39 points throughout, saying: “Today is a game where we can’t control their perimeter shooting. They shot very well.”
“Every game that we play, we’re gonna get the best effort from every team. We have to expect that. Not because we’re Ateneo doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy,” he added.
Mark Lopez finished with a team-high 13 points, seven boards and two assists while import Chris Ball typified UP’s first half showing by tallying all of his 11 points in the first two periods. Alvin Padilla also had 11 for the Maroons.
Diminutive Mike Gamboa stood tallest among the Maroons in the third canto, firing away his entire 10 markers but even that came up short as UP dropped its fourth straight game.
Interestingly, UP’s last win over Ateneo came on July 26, 2009 via a 68-58 decision at the PhilSports Arena.
Playing with ease, the Maroons got off to a strong start as they posted an early 15-8 lead that ballooned to as high as 40-31 off Raul Soyud’s split charity, clearly showing they’re ready to seize the moment.
The Blue Eagles, however, turned to Salva and Slaughter who ably teamed up with Sumalinog as Ateneo charged back with a 17-10 run at the midway mark of the third to gain a 61-57 lead into the payoff quarter.
Another incursion by Slaughter padded Ateneo’s lead to 69-61 before Padilla connected with a triple to keep UP in the game. But Sumalinog rammed in five straight points put the Eagles up for good 74-64 with 2:27 left.
