Blue Eagles retention bid on course

Reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Husaini proved to be the immovable force and the big difference as his inside presence is still what the FEU Tamaraws are trying hard to figure out. Rabeh led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 63-59 win to fuel their title retention bid. The Blue Eagles and the Tamaraws are both installed as the favorites to fight for the championship this year and their initial encounter shows that the UAAP will be another blockbuster this year.

Both teams have key losses from their previous lineups with the Blue Eagles losing clutch shooter Chris Tiu, point guard Yuri Escueta and big guys Jobe Nkemakolam and Mike Baldos. FEU on the other hand lost veterans Mac Baracael, Benedict Fernandez and Marlon Adolfo. Fortunately though, both teams did not feel the loss of their veterans as both teams engaged in a mano a mano fight specially in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles started on a wrong note as they shot horribly in the first few minutes of the game as Mark Barroca fueled an 8-0 start as he scored the game’s first four points. Ateneo came back with Eric Salamat and MVP Rabeh who scored inside and trim FEU’s lead 10 -11. After that, Kirk Long got a feed from Jai Reyes to sink a three pointer for a 13-11 lead which the Blue Eagles never relinquished. The Blue Eagle’s second team proved to be a revelation as Nico Salva, Eman Monfort, Justin Chua, Bacon Austria and Ryan Buenafe took turns to defend and score against the tamaraws, before you know it the Blue Eagles were up 40-29 at the half. The Blue Eagles shot 7 of 12 from three point terirotry and limiting FEU to 35% shooting in the first half.

Come the third quarter the Tamaraws came back. Mark Barroca led the comeback as he once again showed that his stint with the SMART Gilas team is no fluke. Together with Aldrech Ramos and Riel Cervantes, the Mendiola based team checked their skid and erased the Ateneo 11 point lead to just three 50 – 47.

The FEU Tamaraws finally caught up with the Blue Eagles as they tied the count at 54-all with six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the tamaraws, the defense of the Blue Eagles became tighter which made FEU experience a cold spell by being scoreless for five minutes. The Eagles then scored seven straight points which proved to be enough cushion as the Eagles doused water over FEU’s final rally as the UAAP hosts pulled to within two 61-59. Ryan Buenafe and Rabeh Al-Husaini capped the game with three free throws.

Most notable in this win was the second unit of the Blue Eagles which completely outplayed their FEU counterparts. Nico Salva, Eman Monfort and Ryan Buenafe were too hot to handle. In the end Mark Barroca did not deliver and cramped out. For those who did not see, Barroca was carried out of the venue after the game. Congratulations to the Blue Eagles, next stop the UE Red Warriors.

The Scores

Ateneo 63

Al-Hussaini 18, Buenafe 10, Salva 9, Salamat 8, Monfort 8, Reyes 7, Long 3, Golla 0, Chua 0, Baclao 0, Austria 0.

FEU 59

Ramos 15, Barroca 12, Noundou 9, Garcia 8, Cervantes 6, Cawaling 4, Sanga 3, Knuttel 2, Exciminiano 0, Eguilos 0, Caluag 0.

Quarter scores: 17-11, 40-29, 50-47, 63-59.