The Ateneo Blue Eagles lost against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 61-66 on Sunday, October 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Ateneo was able to open up a seven-point lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter, but continuous fouls by the Blue Eagles let the Tamaraws tie the game up at 19-all at the end of the quarter.
After a six-point FEU surge, shooting guard Adrian Wong went on a 6-0 run in the second quarter to help the Blue Eagles get back in the ball game. An Arvin Tolentino stab gave the Ateneo a 32-30 lead heading into the half.
The third quarter again proved to be a back and forth affair, with Von Pessumal and Wong eventually hitting back-to-back threes to get some space. However, a Mike Tolomia three at the end of the quarter deadlocked the game at 47-all.
FEU started breaking away from the game in the last quarter with a 5-0 run courtesy of a three by Francis Tamsi and a jumper by Achi Inigo, which killed the Ateneo momentum. Additionally, a 2-2-1 full court press out of the timeout rattled the Eagles into back-to-back turnovers.
The Ateneo big men got into foul trouble at this point of the game. Rebounding machine Chibueze Ikeh, who finished with 10 rebounds, was forced to sit after picking up his fourth foul with 7:43 remaining. Fonso Gotladera also fouled out of the game with 4:01 left after earning a technical, while Giboy Babilonia got his fifth foul at the 1:55 mark after fouling Russel Escoto at the three point line.
The Eagles’ disadvantage on the boards and Mac Belo’s lockdown defense on Kiefer Ravena late in the game finally left the Blue Eagles unable to recover.
Ravena led the Blue and White with 15 points, 11 of which came in the second half. The Phenom’s free throw woes continued this game as he went for 5/10 from the line.
In the absence of Jerie Pingoy–who was out of the game due to an ankle injury–Adrian Wong came off the bench to score 14 points, all coming in the first three quarters. The Blue Eagles also got quality production from Aaron Black, who finished with six points and six rebounds.
Belo led FEU’s balanced attack with 12 points, followed by Escoto and RR Pogoy who had 10 markers apiece.
In the post-game conference, FEU Head Coach Nash Racela praised Blue Eagles Coach Bo Perasol for his adjustments on both ends of the floor. “Pinahirapan niya kami this game (He gave us a hard time in this game),” he said of his competitor. Meanwhile, Belo credited Ravena, admiring the Blue Eagle’s high basketball IQ and offensive skills.
This loss puts the Blue Eagles in fourth place with a record of 4-4 in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Men’s Basketball tournament.
Their next game will be against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo 61 – Ravena 15, Wong 14, Pessumal 8, Gotladera 7, Ikeh 6, Black 6, Babilonia 3, A. Tolentino A. 2, Apacible 0, Cani 0, Capacio 0, Nieto Ma. 0, Tolentino V. 0.
FEU 66 – Belo 12, Ru. Escoto 10, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 8, Inigo 7, Tamsi 6, Dennison 4, Arong 3, Jose 2, Orizu 2, Trinidad 2, Escoto 0, Holmqvist 0.
Quarter Scores: 19-19, 30-32, 47-47, 66-61
