MANILA, Philippines—Showing no signs of slowing down, Rabeh Al-Hussaini powered Ateneo de Manila University past Adamson University in a blowout 78-59 victory that assured the Blue Eagles of a semifinal berth in the 71st UAAP men’s basketball competition Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Al-Hussaini took control early by effectively working the ball inside to score 14 of Ateneo’s 22 points in the opening quarter of the game where the Eagles led all the way.
Yet coach Norman Black stressed that there’s no letting up for his wards even after the Eagles—who stayed on top with a 9-1 record—secured their 10th straight Final Four appearance.
“I’m happy being in the Final Four but our goal is to make it in the top two,” said Black.
The 6-foot-6 Al-Hussaini buried 29 points just three days after scoring 24 in the Eagles’ 85-76 win over the University of Santo Tomas Tigers.
Al-Hussaini connected on 10 of 14 attempts from the field to lead the Eagles in setting a season-high 51.9-percent shooting clip.
In the second game, Far Eastern University kept its own semifinal bid on track by stunning the UST Tigers with a 74-69 overtime victory after trailing by as many as 16 points.
Reil Cervantes nailed six of his 20 points in the extra period after Benedict Fernandez, who added 14 markers, sparked the Tamaraws’ comeback from a 35-51 hole.
“This team has a big heart,” said coach Glenn Capacio of the Tamaraws, who kept third place with a 7-3 slate.
Even with Jervy Cruz scoring a career-high 30 points, the Tigers made only two of 18 attempts from the field in the fourth and the extra periods.
An Aldrech Ramos layup with 47.1 seconds left in the fourth period tied the game at 60.
Dylan Ababou could have given the Tigers the win, but missed two free throws with 10.2 ticks left in regulation.
The loss pushed the Tigers down to 4-6, two games behind University of the East.
The Eagles scored a season-high 25 points on fastbreaks, several courtesy of Eric Salamat, who chipped in 17 points and six steals.
Al-Hussaini’s performance made up for the two-point output of top gunner Chris Tiu, who missed three tries from the field.
The Falcons dropped out of the Final Four race with a 2-8 slate along with University of the Philippines and National University.
The Eagles have won 23 straight games over the Falcons since 1997.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 78—Al-Hussaini 29, Salamat 17, Baclao 6, Reyes 6, Buenafe 5, Salva 4, Long 3, Gonzaga 2, Chua 2, Escueta 2, Tiu 2, Burke 0, Baldos 0.
ADAMSON 59—Cańada 12, Colina 11, Nuyles 10, Gorospe 7, Alvarez 6, Agustin 4, Gonzalgo 4, Santos 3, Yambot 2, Ruiz 0, Penalosa 0, Lapitan 0, Galinato 0, Olalia 0, Margallo 0.
Quarters: 22-11, 41-31, 59-48, 78-59
Second Game
FEU 74—Cervantes 20, Fernandez 14, Cawaling 12, Sanga 9, Ramos 8, Barroca 6, Knuttel 2, Adolfo 2, Tanuan 1, Alisbo 0, Cabagnot 0.
UST 69—Cruz 30, Ababou 14, Allera 10, Mirza 8, Canlas 3, Fortuna 2, Fenequito 1, Gile 1, Bautista 0, Taylor 0, Cuan 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 31-39, 41-54, 60-60 (reg), 74-69 (OT)
