The Ateneo Blue Eagles proved that indeed, there could only be one champion as they reigned in three major tournaments in 2009.
Just a few months after being crowned back-to-back UAAP champions and bagging the championship of the University Games last November, the Blue Eagles defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 74-70, on December 13 to be hailed the National Champions of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).
“It was a really good year for Ateneo basketball,” Coach Norman Black said.
He added, “I told them before the game, ‘whether you win or not will all depend on whether you consider yourself a good team or a great team.’ I really felt that if they were able to win the game, then they could be considered a great team.”
The dream match
After convincingly defeating Lyceum (73-63), UST (81-72), and San Beda College (81-69) en route to the finals, Ateneo set up a series that could be considered this year’s UAAP finals dream match that never came into fruition.
The Blue Eagles looked poised to take game one, until Tamaraw point guard RR Garcia exploded with 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter to salvage a come-back victory, 75-70, for FEU.
Despite the victory, FEU Coach Glenn Capacio was wary as he said, “They [Ateneo] will come back. You cannot discount the heart of a champion.”
Indeed, the Hail Mary squad’s champion heart provided the intensity and sense of urgency needed to neutralize Garcia and unleash a scoring run for a 90-63 game two victory.
With the title as National Champion boiling down to a winner-takes-all game three, the two teams battled it off in front of a predominantly Ateneo crowd at the Ynares Sports Center.
Led by veterans Eric Salamat and Jai Reyes, the Blue Eagles pulled away, 45-35, at the half.
But with the sniping of Paul Sanga and JR Cawaling, the Tamaraws were able to trim down the lead to two, 61-59 at the end of the third canto.
FEU continued its run until Cawaling gave his team its biggest lead, 70-67 at the 2:45 mark of the final quarter.
Assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said, “We could have wilted under pressure, especially when they took the lead but we had experience and championship composure.”
The Blue Eagles’ experience proved to be crucial as Reyes hit a trey to tie the game, while Oping Sumalinog converted on the go-ahead basket with 45 seconds remaining.
Despite the Tamaraws’ efforts, Ryan Buenafe’s two-free throws sealed the win for Ateneo.
Bittersweet ending
Despite missing the services of Rabeh Al-Hussaini due to his commitment to the Smart-Gilas National team, and sharing Nonoy Baclao with the Philippine Patriots in the on-going Asean Basketball League, the Blue Eagles were able finish the year on a high note.
After the game, Coach Black was all smiles as he thanked his graduating seniors for donning the Ateneo jersey one last time. “I’m happy for Jai, I’m happy for Noy. I’m [also] thankful to Noy for coming back and playing. He had a game today in Brunei but instead he played with us.”
As for Al-Hussaini, “I wish he was here, I’ll tell you that much,” Black said.
