(UPDATE) UAAP: Ateneo overpowers UP, 79-58
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:55:00 08/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines--By the second half, the Ateneo Blue Eagles did what coach Norman Black wanted done.
But it was the second unit that responded to the challenge as the Eagles hammered out a 79-58 crushing of the University of the Philippines to move within a win of a semifinal bonus in the 71st UAAP men's basketball competition Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
"In the beginning we wanted to draw a knockout punch early; they just didn't fall," said Ateneo coach Norman Black. " It became more difficult for us because of it. We were kind of rushing things. Everybody was trying to do it on their own, taking shots on their own. We settled down in the second half. We played as team in the second half."
Despite leading the entire game, the Eagles just couldn't brush off the rallying Maroons until backup guard Jai Reyes started the Eagles' hot streak for a 54-39 advantage in the third period.
"I was very happy with the second half, especially with the second team," said Black. "I've been wanting them to pick up their game."
The pacesetting Eagles, still the only squad assured of a Final Four berth with an 11-1 record, just need to win one of their last two games to clinch the first twice-to-beat semifinal advantage.
Reyes scored all of his six points in the second half, while Yuri Escueta and Mike Baldos also delivered quality minutes.
"At halftime we talked about it," said Black. "We've been an unselfish team the entire year. [I told the team] let's not start to change now when we've had a little bit of success. In the second half, we tried to get back more to playing as a team. It came down to the defense of the second team that separated us in this game."
In the end, though, it's Rabeh Al-Hussaini who again made a strong case for the MVP plum with 24 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks.
Ateneo skipper Chris Tiu added 14 markers, six boards and a season-best 10 assists.
The Maroons, wearing an untraditional black uniform, kept clawing back in the game before the Eagles jumped ahead with a 9-0 spurt that turned a 45-39 edge into a 54-29 gap with 1:20 minutes left in the third period.
An Escueta triple ignited another Ateneo run at the start of the fourth period for a 27-point edge at 76-49.
The Maroons already bowed out of semifinal contention with a 3-9 record.
The scores:
ATENEO 79--Al-Hussaini 24, Tiu 14, Buenafe 8, Baclao 6, Reyes 6, Baldos 5, Long 4, Salva 3, Gonzaga 3, Escueta 3, Salamat 3, Chua 0, Burke 0, Nkemakolam 0, Sumalinog 0.
UP 58--Sison 10, Co 10, De Asis 7, Dela Victorio 6, Sorongon 6, Lopez 5, Astorga 4, Gamboa 3, Hipolito 3, Braganza 3, Reyes 1, Pajela 0, Marfori 0 Maniego 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 36-28, 54-42, 79-58
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