Photo by Mario T Dagdag

AFTER A two-week layoff from games, the Ateneo Blue Eagles faced the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in their last game of the first round. In a replay of the 2011 UAAP Finals, the Blue Eagles pulled through in a close encounter, 74-71, yesterday, August 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles found it difficult to assert themselves early on, but still managed to take the lead twice in the opening sequences. FEU took control of the first quarter, however, after Terrence Romeo’s conversion at the 8:32 mark made it 4-3.

Arvie Bringas scored five points in quick succession to further their lead to 10-4. The Blue Eagles attempted to close the gap, but their opponents kept them at a comfortable distance. Oping Sumalinog managed to bring their deficit down to 15-17 with a three-pointer, but the Tamaraws answered back with four unanswered points to regain their comfortable lead.

Free throws by Greg Slaughter and Nico Elorde off fouls—including an unsportsmanlike called on Romeo—ended the first quarter at 21-18 to FEU.

The Blue Eagles still could not find their groove in the second quarter. To the dismay of Coach Norman Black, they struggled in keeping possession of the ball, and just could not convert. The FEU defense had kept them cold as they were missing good looks from the perimeter.

They finally managed to make a basket with a little over seven minutes remaining, care of Ryan Buenafe. Justin Chua then pulled Ateneo to within three points once more, but Coach Burt Flores’ boys just didn’t let up. The Tamaraws went on a 12-1 run until Juami Tiongson stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer that cut FEU’s double-digit advantage to nine, 35-26. Free throws once again ended the quarter, which concluded with the Tamaraws up 37-27.

Just like they have shown in past games, a reinvigorated Blue Eagles squad returned to play in the second half. FEU attempted to keep its considerable advantage, but finally gave it up after the first three minutes. Two three-pointers from Tiongson and one from Nico Elorde sparked an 11-3 Ateneo run that put Ateneo to within one, 45-46.

The Tamaraws retaliated with their own 6-0 run and regained their hold of the proceedings. However, Cris Tolomia got tagged with another unsportsmanlike foul for FEU for a tug on Kiefer Ravena. Coach Norman Black and his boys then battled back to within three, until a Romeo free throw ended the third quarter at 53-49 to the Tamaraws.

The Morayta-based squad did their best to fend off Blue Eagle advances in the final period, but their resistance finally faltered. Veteran Ryan Buenafe completed a three-point play which shifted the momentum in favor of Ateneo. A minute later, Nico Salva, who had struggled in the first half, saw his floater rattle in with under eight minutes to go that gave Ateneo the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter.

FEU desperately tried to regain its footing, but Ateneo was already in full control. Led by a stellar performance by center JP Erram, who secured crucial offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points, the Blue Eagles rallied on and boosted their lead to as much as nine with just over a minute left.

RR Garcia and company were not defeated, though, and pulled in as close as four points. It was insufficient, however, as the Blue Eagles converted most of their charities as time ran down. Tolomia was able to get a consolation shot, beating the buzzer from half-court, but by then the result was no longer in question. The Blue Eagles defeated FEU, 74-71.

The game featured Ateneo’s supporting cast taking on some of the offensive duties regularly carried out by starters Slaughter, Ravena and Salva.

Tiongson and Buenafe came up with solid numbers—12 points, and 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, respectively. The seven-foot Slaughter had a team-high 17 points, eight rebounds and five blocks while former King Eaglet Ravena tallied 12 points and three rebounds. Salva, the former Red Cub, had a quiet but crucial six points.

On the other end, it was just another day at the office for former Most Valuable Player Garcia, who notched 21 points and four assists. Anthony Hargrove also played his part, scoring 12 and hauling down 10 rebounds.

The Tamaraws had a tough time controlling the number of fouls they committed—30 in contrast to Ateneo’s 18 – and it led to the Blue and White taking more free throws, where they shot 62% compared to the Tamaraws’ 56%.

“At this point is where we want to be. We wanted to be among the top two teams going into the second round,” shared Black about his team’s performance in the first round. He also went on to say that although they did slip against UST, they are still in top position, which is the main goal.

The UAAP has yet to release the schedule of the second round.

Box scores:

Ateneo 74 – Slaughter 17, Tiongson 12, Ravena 12, Buenafe 10, Salva 6, Erram 6, Elorde 6, Sumalinog 3, Chua 2, Gonzaga 0, Golla 0

FEU 71 – Garcia 21, Hargrove 12, Romeo 10, A. Bringas 10, M. Bringas 7, Belo 6, Tolomia 3, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 0, Mendoza 0, Cruz 0