A LITTLE over a month ago, the Blue Eagles looked out of sync, out of shape, out of their element. They faced a Red Lions squad in their first FilOil game, beating them by only three points.
After a Dubai trip, several games in the Fr. Martin Cup, and a trip to the FilOil finals, the Blue Eagles looked poised to win. All the preseason work has benefitted them, and they got it together in their last preseason game, snagging their first ever FilOil title in the process.
Hailed as the battle of champions, the Blue Eagles thrashed the San Beda Red Lions, 74-56, on June 13 at the San Juan Arena.
The Katipunan squad started off with a shooting clinic, outscoring their Mendiola counterparts 25-10, which featured a 13-0 run in a five-minute stretch. Free throws by Dave Marcelo stopped the bleeding, but reserves Juami Tiongson and Bacon Austria would make lay-ups to pile on the lead.
San Beda tried to turn the tables defensively in the second, playing more physical than they did in the first quarter. The strategy seemed to work as the Eagles lost their groove in the passing lanes and could not convert any points in possessions. After a free throw by Kiefer Ravena, the Lions went on a 12-2 run which capped the score at 36-27 by halftime.
Chippy play continued in the third. The Lions nibbled at the lead with short jumpers, veering away from their inside-outside game. A jumper by Marcelo cut the lead to five, but a three-pointer by Kirk Long would slow San Beda’s momentum, 43-35.
The extra physical play peaked when Long was seen grasping his head. Replays showed that Garvo Lanete kicked him while fumbling for a loose ball. Marcelo, who was San Beda’s most consistent offensive option in the game, had to be benched after roughly contesting for a loose ball.
A floater by Tiongson kept the Eagles afloat within double digits at 51-41. A lay-up by Long and a free throw by Austria ended the third at 54-41.
The Eagles opened the fourth with an 8-3 run. Lanete and Ola Adeogun would generate offense for the Red Lions, but the Eagles always had an answer, as Long would hit a three after two consecutive lay-ups by Lanete. Greg Slaughter sank a jumper and banked a lay-in after a shot by Adeogun inside. The lead had already ballooned to 72-55 with under two minutes remaining.
Seldom-used reserves Von Pessumal, Gwyne Capacio and Paul Siarot found playing time in the dying minutes of the game. A split by Siarot from the line iced the game for the Eagles, giving them their first FilOil championship.
The win was a notable one for the Katipunan-based squad, as the FilOil tournament was, until yesterday, the only major collegiate league that the Eagles have not won.
Slaughter had a double-double for the Eagles with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Three Eagles scored in double-digits, namely Tiongson, Ravena and Long with 13, 12 and 11 points respectively. Volume shooter Lanete had 17 points mostly off two-pointers after being defended by Long for most of the game. Marcelo notched 12 points and eight rebounds while Adeogun scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lions.
Earlier, Blue Eagle rookie Ravena was recognized as among the Mythical Five. Moments after the game, he was also awarded the league’s Most Valuable Player for his all-around skills and game-changing play.
Mapua’s Yousef Taha, FEU’s Pippo Noundou and Ryan Roose Garcia, and San Beda’s Garvo Lanete rounded up the tournament’s Mythical Five. Taha was also named Defensive Player of the Year.
“This is probably the best game we’ve played the entire summer. We picked the best day to play well—the championship game. I really don’t know how we’re able to beat San Beda, for that matter. We had a pretty high shooting percentage,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
Quarter scoring:
25-10, 36-27, 54-41, 75-56
ADMU – 75: Slaughter 14, Tiongson 13, Ravena 12, Long 11, Salva 9, Gonzaga 6, Monfort 4, Austria 3, Erram 2, Siarot 1, Golla 0, Pessumal 0, Chua 0, Capacio 0
SBC – 56: Lanete 17, Marcelo 12, Adeogun 10, Pascual 6, Dela Rosa 3, Pontejos 3, Villahermosa 2, Lim 2, Caram 1, Pascual 0
