AS ERIC Salamat put the finishing touches on a 16-5 run with three minute remaining, the Blue Eagles looked to have put the Green Archers away. Second year guard Joseph Marata had other plans, leading La Salle past Ateneo, 66-63 on June 24 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. The win snapped a six-game La-Salle losing streak against the Blue Eagles and was the first Taft-Katipunan clash of the Dindo Pumaren era.
The Blue Eagles burst out of the gate, starting the game with a 6-0 run capped by Justin Chua’s put back lay up electrifying the Blue and White faithful. Ryan Buenafe would prove to be an early force in the game, getting to the line at will and forcing defensive ace Joseph Tolentino to the bench with early foul trouble.
However, the early lead would succumb to the troop of Archer guards who pressured the Eagles on both ends of the court, coming off screens for open three pointers and strong man to man defense which denied easy entry passes into the post.
Neither team established a real offensive rhythm in the first half as both teams shot a pitiful percentage from the field; 27.3 and 22.6 for the Eagles and Archers respectively. Foul shooting was the only semblance of offense as both teams took 16 attempts making 10, contributing to a 30-26 Ateneo halftime lead.
Junior forward Joshua Webb took over the game in the third scoring 7 of La Salle’s 20 points as La Salle’s defensive pressure stifled the Ateneo offense into a 12 point output.
The 8 point lead did not last long; the Blue Eagles answered back with a 16-5 run highlighted by Kirk Long’s double pump three pointer as the shot clock expired. But once again, La Salle’s core of guards headed by Marata and Jarelan Tampus led a blistering comeback with Marata’s three pointer giving 1:26 remaining stole the lead, 65-63. After an empty possession for Ateneo, La Salle captain Simon Atkins split a pair of free throws to give the Archers a three point cushion with 17.6 seconds remaining.
Justin Chua’s three point attempt barely grazed rim but found the ball caroming back to him with three seconds left and let a final attempt fly, which kissed the front of the rim and into the hands of Marata.
While Marata collected player of the game honors by leading the scintillating game winning run and hitting all four of his three point attempts, it was teammate Tolentino who kept the La Salle side close for the majority of the game. His hounding of the Ateneo backcourt forced the Eagles to burn time off the clock forcing them to over dribble or rush offensive sets.
Facing a nine point deficit, La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren never lost hope. “I told them not to give up. Play defense. It’s all about attitude.”
The loss drops Ateneo to a record of 2-2, losing two games in the elimination round for the first time since Season 70. Ateneo next plays National University on August 1st (Sunday) at the PhilSports Arena.
Box Score:
DLSU– Webb 12, Marata 12, Atkins 9, Tampus 6, Andrada 6, Dela Paz 5, Tolentino 5, Mendoza 5, Vosotros 3, Villanueva 2, Ferdinand 1, Paredes 0.
Ateneo– Chua 16, Monfort 11, Long 9, Buenafe 7, Salamat 6, Salva 5, Golla 3, Escueta 2, Dela Cruz 2, Austria 2, Tiongson 0, Gonzaga 0.
Quarter Scoring: 14-15; 26-30; 46-42; 66-63.
