DIMINUTIVE GUARD Emman Monfort hit six crucial free throws pushing the Ateneo Blue Eagles past the Adamson Falcons, 69-66 on July 15, at the Philsports Arenea in Pasig. With team captain Eric Salamat sent to the sidelines with a leg injury, the senior guard made clutch plays on both ends of the court.
The Blue Eagles inserted enigmatic play maker Ryan Buenafe into the starting line up, choosing to bring star big-man Nico Salva off the bench to better match up with Adamson’s dynamic sixth man, Eric Camson. Buenafe imposed his will early recording six assists, single handedly matching the Falcon’s halftime total helping the Blue Eagles take a 52-41 lead.
The Falcons brought in a much more physical defense in the third, knocking Ateneo off-rhythm. As both Salva and Erik Salamat headed to the bench midway through the third nursing leg injuries, the Falcons took advantage of the frazzled Eagles, outscoring them 20-11 in the quarter. Adamson capped the third with a thundering dunk tying the game and sending the Adamson crowd into a frenzy.
Carrying the momentum through the break, Adamson struck quickly with an immediate 6-0 run, a cushion they would enjoy for the majority of the fourth quarter. Ateneo made a catch up difficult on themselves, forcing shots against the shot clock and missing key free-throws. The Blue Eagles chipped away at the lead by pushing the ball off both makes and misses, catching the Falcon defense off balance. Kirk Long was sent to the line after a timely steal, splitting a pair of free throws knotting the game a final time at 63.
Monfort would cap the scoring for Ateneo, making all six of his attempts in the final forty five seconds. Monfort’s efforts were not limited to the offensive end, smothering Nuyles on defense and grabbing the rebound after Roider Cabrera split a pair of free-throws.
When asked about his clutch free-throw shooting, Monfort credited the time he and the other Blue Eagles had put in practice.
“Everything we do in game, we do in practice. A lot,” he said, “almost too much.” He quipped, shooting a glance at Ateneo head coach Norman Black.
Author’s notes:
The Blue Eagles used a balanced offensive attack to top the Falcons with four players scoring in double digits. Despite a rebounding disadvantage, Adamson outscored Ateneo on second chance points, 17 to 4, keeping them in the game despite shooting a lower percentage and turning the ball over more 24 to 14. With the win, Ateneo avoided back-to-back losses. The Eagles last lost consecutive games in the season 69 finals against UST. The Blue Eagles kept an even longer streak alive, a 13 year, 25 game winning streak against the San Marcelino-side.
Quarter Scoring: 17-13, 41-32, 52-52, 69-66
Ateneo: Long 12, Salva 10, Salamat 10, Buenafe 10, Monfort 8, Escueta 7, Dela Cruz 3, Golla 3, Erram 3, Tiongson 2, Austria 2
AdU: Nuyles 18, Alvares 17, Colina 9, Manyara 7, Canada 5, Stinnett 3, Cabrera 3, Lozada 2, Camson 2
