IT IS said that history repeats itself. The Ateneo Blue Eagles, however, wrote their own history by defeating the formidable University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 65-62, in Game Two of the UAAP Finals, claiming their fifth straight title in front of a capacity crowd at the Smart Arenata Coliseum yesterday, October 11.
The game was close right from the tip off. Ateneo took an early 4-0 lead while limiting UST with a frustrating man-to-man defense. The Tigers nonetheless managed to get things going from their end and tied the game 4-4, after a Jeric Teng layup three minutes in.
The Blue Eagles then went on a 6-0 run that built a six-point lead, 10-6, with 5:20 left in the opening quarter. However, Kim Lo came off the bench and went on a solo 8-0 run that gave the Tigers their first lead, 14-13, at the end of the first quarter.
Justin Chua quickly swung the advantage back to the Blue and White, making both his charities in the second quarter. Tonino Gonzaga added to Ateneo’s lead with a three-point play that put the Blue Eagles up four, 18-14 with 8:17 to go.
Both teams, however, went scoreless for three and a half minutes until Kevin Ferrer put the España-based squad up, 23-22, with 2:27 left in the first half.
Nico Salva, the 2012 UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player, returned the lead back to the Blue Eagles, but Teng and Karim Abdul combined for four points to give the Tigers a three-point lead, 29-26, with less than a minute before halftime. Free throws from Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena evened the score at 29-all going into the break.
The Blue Eagles took the lead off the break with a quick three-pointer from Juami Tiongson. UST answered with an 8-0 run bannered by Clark Bautista’s two three-pointers, which gave the Tigers a comfortable 38-32 lead with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Ateneo was able to regain the lead three minutes later, thanks to another Tiongson three. The Blue Eagles put some further distance between them and the Tigers after Ravena’s three-point play with one minute remaining, putting Ateneo up five, 47-42.
UST captain Jeric Fortuna fought and scored four unanswered points to put the Tigers within one point by the end of the quarter, 47-46.
Fortuna continued his push in the final quarter, draining an early three to regain the lead, but Ravena answered with a three-point play that restored a one-point lead, 50-49, for Ateneo with 9:32 remaining.
Veteran Melo Afuang was tagged with an unsportsmanlike foul a minute later, as the Blue Eagles went on a 5-0 run that took their lead to six, 55-49. Aljon Mariano, who struggled offensively all day, reduced the gap to 55-51, but Ateneo’s lead was furthered to eight, 59-51, after Mythical Five member Slaughter powered his way in the paint with 6:43 left.
Abdul sparked a 7-1 run for UST that brought UST within two, 58-60, after a basket by Teng with 2:00 left. After a crucial slip by Abdul, “Magic” Tiongson came up big for Ateneo by converting a floater that gave the Blue Eagles some leeway, 62-58, with a minute remaining.
Adding to UST’s fourth quarter woes was a five-second violation after their last timeout, which gave possession back to Ateneo. Slaughter and Teng split their respective free throws as the clock ran down, allowing Ateneo a four-point cushion, 63-59.
And just like he did in Game One, “The Phenom” Ravena sank a clutch jumper with 30 seconds left to peg the score at 65-59. Fortuna, however, buried a quick three five seconds later, to give UST a chance at tying the game, 62-65.
Tiongson missed two crucial free throws with 19 seconds to go, but it proved to be a non-factor as he eventually intercepted the ball in UST’s chance to send the game into overtime. The clock expired to the roars of the Blue and White, as Tiongson heaved the ball into the air and the Ateneo bench spilled onto the court to celebrate the five-peat.
Both teams were once again similar in terms of stats, with the Blue Eagles only bettering their opponents from the free throw line, 18 for 25 (72%) compared to seven of 17 (41.2%).
Ravena had another solid outing, scoring 22 points. Slaughter tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds, the last double double of his UAAP career, while Salva chipped in eight points.
Slaughter and Salva, together with Chua, Gonzaga and Oping Sumalinog, played their final game as Blue Eagles.
Fortuna, who is also graduating, bowed out in memorable fashion, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
This win is even more special for the Ateneo community as it was the last game of Norman Black as head coach of the Blue Eagles. He will be coaching the Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters in the PBA.
“It’s something that I’m really proud of,” said Black about achieving the historic five-peat. “I’m really proud of the players. They’re actually the ones who put in a lot of hard work.”
When asked which of his five titles feels the best, Salva said it was the fifth. “There’s nothing like leaving your school with a championship and with a win,” said the Finals MVP. “I never imagined winning five championships in five years.”
Ravena also said that between his two championships with the Blue Eagles so far, this season proved more challenging. “Ibang feeling ‘to (This is a different feeling) compared to last year,” said The Phenom. “Talagang pinahirapan kami ng UST (UST really gave us a hard time).”
As per tradition, the championship bonfire is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at the Ateneo Grade School parking lot. There will be autograph signing at Singson Hall from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, a mass at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater at 5:00 PM and the much-awaited program afterwards.
Editor’s Note: Photos from the game can be accessed through The GUIDON’s Facebook album.
Box scores:
Ateneo 65 – Ravena 22, Slaughter 15, Tiongson 10, Salva 8, Chua 6, Gonzaga 3, Sumalinog 1, Golla 0, Elorde 0, Buenafe 0
UST 62 – Fortuna 20, Teng 9, Lo 8, Abdul 8, Ferrer 7, Bautista 6, Mariano 4, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Afuang 0
