Photo by Mario T. Dagdag
DESPITE A tough string of games to start off their Season 74 campaign, featuring three of the top teams from Season 73, the Ateneo Blue Eagles have made a clean 4-0 sweep to remain the only undefeated team in the UAAP.
Following the dispatching of the defensive minded Adamson Falcons in their opening game, the Blue Eagles have since topped their opponents by an average of 15 points, headlined by their championship defense.
Championship D
Holding their opponents to an average of 61.5 points a game is indication enough that the Blue Eagles’ defense—which has led them to three championships—has already rounded into shape. Had it not been for a 72 point total from archrivals De La Salle University last July 16, the average would have dropped to a paltry 58 points per game.
The relentless pressure from perimeter defensive stalwarts Kirk Long, Emman Monfort and Oping Sumalinog has harassed opponents into turnovers and contested jump shots. But unlike last year, the intimidating presence of seven-foot behemoth Greg Slaughter has added a shot blocking threat that has acted as a safety net for the perimeter defenders, giving them free reign to gamble for steals.
This is not to say that the big man’s defense is limited to a help capacity. He most notably held last year’s MVP runner-up Emmanuel Mbe to 10 points in their 24 point rout of the National University Bulldogs last July 21.
The Smart Gilas center not only anchors the team defensively but also provides a reliable offensive lynchpin, averaging 15.8 points through the first four games—scoring in double-digits in three of those contests. Though the majority of the damage Slaughter impairs is on post ups, where he can take advantage of his smaller defender, he has shown a willingness to pass out of the post.
“He’s our leading scorer and rebounder so he’s doing his job well. What I give Slaughter credit for is his buying into our system,” Coach Norman Black said of his center.
The “phenom”
Another key addition to the Blue Eagles has been the dynamic play of leading Rookie of the Year candidate, Kiefer Ravena. After being held scoreless in his debut, the former Blue Eaglet superstar has averaged 16.7 points through three games, including a team high 24-point performance against the Green Archers.
But more impressive than his scoring exploits has been the maturity with which he plays: a willingness to make the extra pass and a flair for the dramatic highlights as seen by his punctuating dunk against the UE Red Warriors, which brought the Blue and White faithful to their feet.
“It’s not like Kiefer and Greg are typical rookies. Kiefer is blessed with a lot of talent and Greg is a 23 year old rookie,” the Ateneo coach said.
With so much attention paid to the pair of star additions to the team, the veteran core of Monfort, Long and Nico Salva often falls out of the attention of the media. “All of the attention, at least by the media, is paid to the rookies,” coach Black said.
“[But] we’re a veteran team. We’re three-time champions.”
Seasoned veterans
The winner of last year’s Most Improved Player award, Monfort has become a more complete facilitator of the Blue Eagle offense this year. His ability to find streaking wings has sparked the Blue Eagle fast break, and his persistent harassing defense on opposing point guards has seen him rack up significant steal totals, including a four steal game against the NU Bulldogs. But most importantly, Monfort has provided a steady hand in the clutch, converting on six crucial free throws in the final minute of the 55-51 win over Adamson.
Kirk Long’s transformation from high school gunner to collegiate defensive stopper was never more apparent than his performance against the explosive Bobby Ray Parks Jr., who after torching the University of the Philippines with 30 points, was held to eight points in three quarters by the Faith Academy product. While offensive production is simply icing on the cake when it comes to Long’s game, his ability to mark the opposition’s best perimeter player, while filling out lanes on fast breaks and hitting the corner three pointer, has made the sole import a vital cog in the team’s chances at a four-peat.
When asked about Salva, Coach Black had nothing but praise for the former San Beda Red Cub’s ability to sacrifice his own game for the better of the team.
“Nico Salva could probably lead the league in scoring if he were on a lesser team,” he said.
When match-ups called for it, Salva showed a willingness to come off the bench in Season 73. His ability to check his ego at the door has long been a boon to the team-first attitude of the Ateneo locker room. But his ability to score in isolation, beating his defender off the dribble and adding an emerging three point shot in his arsenal, has helped him average 12 points per game.
While some areas of concern still remain, namely a streaky three point production and the hit and miss point production from the bench, Black is optimistic that these problems will be sorted out as the season progresses.
“Just like any team in the league, when we’re hitting our three point shots the game comes very easily. When they’re not, we have difficulty scoring,” he said.
“Like the last couple of years, I am trying to establish the bench as a stand alone unit. We’ll figure it out.”
Emerging from a difficult early schedule unscathed has affirmed the Blue Eagles’ familiar perch atop the UAAP standings. Though familiarity does breed complacency, the way Coach Black has seamlessly assimilated his players—both veteran and rookies alike—into his system has the Blue Eagles taking clear strides towards a historic four-peat.
