Eagles nip Tams, snatch solo lead

RAY Parks (right) of NU tries to drive past Norberto Torres of La Salle. RODEL ROTONI

FINDING its old form just in time, Ateneo rose from a double-digit deficit to trip Far Eastern University, 74-71, and grab the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Greg Slaughter dropped 17 points and Kiefer Ravena unloaded eight of his 12 markers in the final quarter as the Blue Eagles rallied from as many as 12 points, 23-35.

“We’re right where we want to be, we want to be in the top two slots,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black after his four-time champions finished the first round with a 6-1 record.

The Eagles, who relegated the Tamaraws to third at 5-2, also got key contributions from Juami Tiongson, Ryan Buenafe and JP Erram.

 
The first game also turned out to be a thriller as La Salle clipped National University, 87-86, in double overtime.

Rookie sensation Jeron Teng exploded for 35 points aside from starring in the clutch with Almond Vosotros to lead the Green Archers to a share of fourth with their victims at 4-3.

“I had to step up,” said Teng. “It was really a blessing, everything was going my way.”

It was a showdown that saw another stellar performance from NU’s Ray Parks, who also pumped in 35 points as the two young stars recorded the highest individual output for a game in the league’s last 10 years.

 
Teng and Vosotros combined for all of the Archers’ eight points in the final extension.

“I’m really happy with our composure,” said La Salle coach Gee Abanilla. “We cannot afford to be left behind [in the standings]. We have to be in striking distance. We hope we can build on this.”

 
Vosotros also finished with 18 markers for the Archers, who blew a 57-45 spread in regulation.

Troy Rosario scored from underneath off a Parks feed with 0.7 seconds left to forge the first overtime, 69-69.

The Archers led in the first overtime, 76-71, before Parks drilled the Bulldogs’ last six points to forge the second extension at 79-all.

The scores:
First Game
LA SALLE 87—Teng 35, Vosotros 18, Andrada 8, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, T. Torres 4, Revilla 3, Manguera 1, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0, Webb 0.
NU 86—Parks 35, Rosario 14, Mbe 12, Javillonar 6, Roño 5, Alolino 4, Villamor 3, Khobuntin 3, Singh 2, De Guzman 2, Labing-isa 0, Betyene 0.
Quarters: 25-14, 42-37, 59-52, 69-69 (reg), 79-79 (1OT), 87-86 (2OT)
Second Game
ATENEO 74—Slaughter 17, Tiongson 12, Ravena 12, Buenafe 10, Salva 6, Erram 6, Elorde 6, Sumalinog 3, Chua 2, Gonzaga 0, Golla 0.
FEU 71—Garcia 21, Hargrove 12, Romeo 10, A. Bringas 10, M. Bringas 7, Belo 6, Tolomia 3, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 0, Mendoza 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 27-37, 49-53, 74-71