FOR THE first time in the history of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, the Araneta Coliseum was predominantly yellow, in honor of the late former president Corazon Aquino.
But unity in color did not bar another classic game between blue and green as the Ateneo Blue Eagles topped archrivals De La Salle University Green Archers 76-72 in overtime on August 9.
After Ryan Buenafe converted on two foul shots to peg the score at 67-64 with 17.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the win seemed to be in the bag for the Blue Eagles. As time was running out, however, Ateneo left a slight opening on defense with less than a second left on the game clock that allowed Green Archer Hyram Bagatsing to convert from beyond the arc to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, veteran Nonoy Baclao spearheaded Ateneo’s rally by scoring four of the Blue Eagles’ nine points and teamed up with Nico Salva, Eric Salamat, and Bacon Austria to carry the team to its sixth victory after seven games.
Sprain and a shuffle
The Blue Eagles struggled to execute on both ends of the floor as they fell to a 40-32 deficit at the end of the first half. Veteran Rabeh Al-Hussaini started strong, scoring most of his 13 points in the first half but was frustrated by La Salle’s interior defense.
DLSU was able to increase the lead to 10 early in the third quarter but the Katipunan-based squad managed to tie the game, 54-54 early in the fourth quarter after Austria converted on two foul shots.
After a block by Baclao, however, the pumped-up Ateneo crowd had some cause for concern as Al-Hussaini went down in pain due to a sprained ankle.
A scuffle then ensued in the 3:50 mark of the quarter that sprung after Green Archer Joshua Webb kicked Austria when the latter committed a foul.
Ateneo capitalized on the free throws and ball possession awarded them as Webb was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, along with teammate Simon Atkins–compensating for the personal foul and technical foul called on Austria because of the scuffle.
The Blue Eagles eventually took the lead late in the fourth quarter despite losing Al-Hussaini, as Salamat and co-captain Jai Reyes knocked down big outside jumpers to give Ateneo the upper hand.
But La Salle’s Arvie Bringas and Bagatsing made back-to-back three point baskets to force overtime and keep the Archers alive. The Blue Eagles banked on their defense and composure to prevent a La Salle comeback.
Almost
Coach Norman Black said poor defense in the first half allowed La Salle to score too many points that almost cost the Blue Eagles the game.
“I challenged the players at halftime: if they wanted to really win the game they would have to come out and play defense in the third quarter,” Coach Norman said.
“Luckily the players answered the call at halftime and we came out in the second half playing better defense…and I think that gave us an opportunity to get back in the game.”
After the game, Salamat said, “Actually every La Salle-Ateneo game, yung fire ng mga players talagang gusto nilang durugin yung isa‘t isa para ipakita talaga yung school pride (Actually every La Salle-Ateneo game, the fire in the players motivates them to win over the other, to show their school pride)”
Black added, “[When Ateneo and La Salle play each other] it never mattered who the stronger team was in that particular year. I think because of the emotions and supporters from both schools and the league and the fans, it’s really the team that comes out and plays well that night that wins the game.”
The Blue Eagles ended the first round at 6-1 and will begin their second round against the University of the East Red Warriors on August 13, Thursday, 4pm at the Araneta Coliseum.
With a report from Nelle S. Reyes
