MANILA, Philippines — A workmanlike effort propelled Ateneo to a 73-57 clobbering of Adamson to open up its drive for “five-peat” Sunday in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Greg Slaughter worked his way in the inside, as usual, with 17 points and 10 rebounds with four blocks, but most of the Blue Eagles chipped in to carry their squad’s dominating debut performance.
And one from Slaughter and two freethrows from Kiefer Ravena, who had nine points, built a 73-52 edge — the biggest of the game– with a minute and half to go.
“I think it was a workmanlike effort for my players today. Just like in the past, it was our defense that was the key,” said head coach Norman Black, who is on his last season with Ateneo.
But Ateneo needed time to get its engine fully running, only getting the chance to break the game wide open in the fourth quarter when Adamson’s offense went stale.
“The major problem in the first half was the lack of defensive rebound,” said Black.
The Blue Eagles led in all stats departments except from the rebounding, where they gave the Falcons 21 offensive boards compared to their nine.
The Falcons, reeling from the loss of big men Jan Colina and Austin Manyara, wingman Janus Lozada and guards Lester Alvarez and Jerick Cañada, just couldn’t summon enough firepower to match up with the Blue Eagles.
After leading briefly in the first quarter, 20-17, Adamson was forced to play catch up the rest of the way and was able to come within, 35-36, on a basket by Alex Nuyles.
But that was before they allowed the Blue Eagles to surge to a double digit lead to end the third quarter, and the Falcons never again came close from there.
Rodney Brondial and Alex Nuyles carried the load for Adamson with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Eric Camson, who struggled with 4-of-22 from the field, added 10 points and 12 boards.