INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo's main man was held to his lowest output but the Blue Eagles averted another upset with a 61-51 triumph over the Adamson Falcons yesterday in the UAAP men?s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran guards Erik Salamat and Jai Reyes stepped up for the struggling Rabeh Al-Hussaini by knocking in key baskets in the second half as the Eagles reclaimed the solo lead with a 4-1 record.

?This was a very difficult win for us because we?re coming off a loss to supposedly the weakest team in the league,? said coach Norman Black, four days after the Eagles absorbed a 68-58 shocker from the erstwhile winless University of the Philippines Maroons.

?It?s not just the physical part of it that you have to get back, it?s also the mental part. The fact that for the last few days people have been pretty down on us, we had to show that we can bounce back.

?We talked about adversity and how to handle it. And I think the team did a good job in handling adversity the past days.?

Al-Hussaini, the reigning Most Valuable Player, scored his lowest output of the year with six points on a 3-of-13 shooting.

Al-Hussaini?s lowest production came in a July 2008 game, also against the Falcons, when he shot only two points on a 1-of-9 clip.

The La Salle Green Archers had an easier time in blasting the National U Bulldogs, 68-48, in the first game for their third straight triumph after an unexpected 0-2 start.

The Archers, who got going with a youthful first five that included rookies Samuel Marata and Arvie Bringas, held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first seven minutes of play for an early 12-0 advantage.

?We were able to dictate the tempo from the opening salvo,? said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

?I think we made the necessary adjustments. If you look at the first two games, off the bench we were missing something. Maybe the rookies get more pressured coming off the bench.

?So now, we devised a system where we start with two rookies and the veterans will be coming off the bench. And I think the players are responding well. I see a great future with my rookies.?

Marata, the nephew of former PBA guard Ricric Marata, buried all his 12 points from beyond the arc to pace La Salle?s balanced charge. He also accounted for four of La Salle?s 13 steals.

?I'm comfortable with my shooting and my range,? said Marata, an 18-year-old swingman who suited up for the national youth team.

Salamat topscored with 16 points, including nine of Ateneo?s first 12 in the second half as the Eagles soared, 40-28.

Reyes, who added 10 markers, buried two crucial triples in the final four minutes after the Falcons twice threatened within five points.

La Salle extended its mastery over NU to an overall record of 44-2, with the Bulldogs last winning against the Archers in Aug. 2003.

The scores:
First Game
LA SALLE 68?Marata 12, Atkins 11, Webb 6, Co 6, Andrada 6, Banal 5, Mangahas 4, Malabes 4, Bringas 4, Villanueva 3, Bagatsing 3, Mendoza 2, Barua 2, Tolentino 0, Manguera 0, Ferdinand 0.

NATIONAL U 48?Ponferrada 23, Baloran 10, Manito 5. Cabaluna 4, Singh 2, Luy 2, Terso 1, Batac 1, Tungcul 0, Roy 0, Malanday 0, Magat 0, Hermosisima 0, Donahue 0.
Quarters: 17-4, 36-20, 57-28, 68-48

Second Game
ATENEO 61?Salamat 16, Reyes 10, Chua 8, Al-Hussaini 6, Monfort 5, Buenafe 5, Baclao 4, Austria 4, Long 3, Salva 0.

ADAMSON 51?Colina 11, Canuday 11, Cañada 8, Alvarez 8,Nuyles 7, Santos 3, Margallo 3, Lozada 0, Galinato 0, Camson 0, Cabrera 0.
Quarters: 16-15, 28-22, 47-39, 61-51