JERICHO Cruz of Adamson mocks the defense of Ateneo’s Christopher Sumalinog and Luis Gonzaga (right) in yesterday’s game. RODEL ROTONI
Ateneo finally claimed the first Final Four berth even as National University, starring Bobby Ray Parks, downed La Salle, 72-62, yesterday to wrest solo fourth in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles made sure there would be no repeat of their endgame blunders this time as they rolled back the Adamson Falcons, 79-72, with Nico Salva unloading half of his 24 points in the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter where Ateneo shot a staggering 82 percent from the field.
“I’m just happy we didn’t make the same mistakes we did in the last game,” Ateneo coach Norman Black said after his four-time champions rebounded from a shock loss to also-ran University of the East, 77-79, last Thursday and boost their leading record to 10-2.
Parks scattered 32-points, 17 of them in the third period, where the Bulldogs led by as many as 16 points, 53-37, en route to their seventh win in 11 games. It was the sixth 30-point outing in two seasons for the son of six-time top PBA import Bobby Parks.
NU coach Eric Altamirano said his Bulldogs were motivated by the UAAP board’s decision to nullify their controversial loss to Far Eastern University, 75-77, and order a replay on Sept. 23
“We used that good favor to inspire us for this game,” said Altamirano. “We’re excited we were given a second lease of life.”
Gelo Alolino added 11 points for the Bulldogs, who pushed the Archers down to fifth at 7-5.
Salva fired a six-point cluster to give the Eagles a 72-71 lead before Kiefer Ravena drilled five of the team’s last seven points for the final tally.
“Every loss is a wake up call and it reminds us that we’re not there yet,” said Salva, who tied his career-high by posting an impressive 11-of-14 shooting clip.
Greg Slaughter had 16 points and 12 boards, while Ravena shot 15 for the Eagles.
In juniors play, FEU’s Jerie Pingoy outscored the entire University of the East side as the Baby Tamaraws forged a lopsided 93-39 victory.
Pingoy, the reigning juniors MVP, exploded for 43 points, including a remarkable 12-of-19 shooting from three-point range to lead the unbeaten Baby Tams to their ninth straight win.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 79—Salva 24, Slaughter 16, Ravena 15, Elorde 10, Chua 6, Tiongson 3, Buenafe 3, Sumalinog 1, Erram 1, Gonzaga 0, Golla 0.
ADAMSON 72—Camson 26, Cruz 14, Cabrera 10, Monteclaro 8, Brondial 8, Rios 4, Etrone 2, Trollano 0, Petilos 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 21-25, 38-38, 55-59, 79-72
Second Game
NU 72—Parks 32, Alolino 11, Rosario 6, Khobuntin 6, De Guzman 6, Mbe 4, Javillonar 4, Villamor 3, Singh 0, Roño 0, Betayene 0.
LA SALLE 62—Teng 20, Vosotros 13, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, Mendoza 4, T. Torres 3, Manguera 3, Andrada 2, Tampus 2, Revilla 2, Webb 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 36-26, 56-45, 72-62