WITH 9.8 seconds on the clock, Kirk Long hustled down the stretch to deny the San Sebastian Golden Stags a fastbreak. Leading the Stags by a single point, Long knocked the ball out of San Sebastian standout Calvin Abueva’s hands and Ateneo fans across The Arena breathed a sigh of relief.
But, as it had been all game, the ref called a questionable foul, gifting the Stags two free throws and the Blue Eagles their first defeat in the Filoil Flying V Premier Pre-season Cup on May 11 at the San Juan Arena.
Heading into the game, the Blue Eagles welcomed back coach Norman Black, who returned from coaching duties with Talk N’ Text, and Greg Slaughter, who returned from illness, but both additions were not enough to overcome the Stags’ physical grit.
With JP Erram sidelined, coach Norman Black started with Slaughter, Long, Nico Salva, Frank Golla and Emman Monfort.
The Blue Eagles got on the scoreboard early, but their shooting cooled off while the Stags went on a run of unanswered points. Soon enough, the San Sebastian lead ballooned to 17-8 midway through the first. Veteran Blue Eagle Bacon Austria ended the scoring drought with a three, but the Stags would close out the first quarter with a 10-point advantage, 21-11.
Outscoring the Stags 27-16 in the second quarter, the Ateneo offense, led by rookie Kiefer Ravena, notched up a gear to nullify the double-digit deficit.
The Phenom showcased his offensive prowess with three straight field goals, including one from beyond the arc. Juami Tiongson and Austria also chipped in significant baskets before the half.
Meanwhile, the Stags remained within arm’s reach of the Eagles with their constant trips to the line. The half ended 38-37, with Ravena giving the Katipunan side the advantage, converting both free throws after being fouled in the dying seconds of the first half.
Carrying over the previous quarter’s momentum, the Eagles’ second half was a showing of offensive dominance with ten unanswered points from Long and Oping Sumalinog. The Stags, however, would answer back with a large scoring run of their own, to be tempered only by back-to-back threes from Monfort. The third quarter ended 57-55, in favor of Ateneo.
In a match that featured nine lead changes and six deadlocks, the game’s intensity peaked in the final quarter as both teams managed to score despite above average defense. Deep into the fourth, the Eagles were up five points until a momentum-shifting three from San Sebastian brought the Stags to within two.
Both players and spectators were at the edge of their seats as the last two minutes of the game ensued. League scoring leader, Abueva took the game into his hands and was fouled as he took it strong to the basket. Ateneo’s next possession was spoiled by the Stags’ suffocating defense, which ultimately led to the controversial call on Long’s attempt to thwart the San Sebastian fastbreak.
The yellow side’s cheers erupted as Abueva made both of his charities. The remaining 9.8 seconds were enough to give Ravena a shot attempt, but the well-defended fade away jumper failed to find the bottom of the net.
Following the 73-72 defeat, the Blue Eagles are scheduled to play some tune-up games in San Francisco before they head over to Las Vegas for the Joe Abunassar Camp. They next face archrivals La Salle on the final day of eliminations on June 4 at the San Juan Arena.
Scoring Leaders:
San Sebastian 73 – Abueva 22, Sangalang 17, Pascual 15, Semira 8, Balucanag 8, Antipuesto 2, Del Rio 1
Ateneo 72 – Ravena 15, Long 10, Salva 9, Monfort 9, Austria 8, Sumalinog 8, Slaughter 6, Tiongson 5, Gonzaga 2
Quarter Scoring: 21-11, 37-38, 55-57, 73-72
With reports by Edward U. dela Vega
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