The streak is still intact, the Ateneo Blue Eagles beat the Adamson Soaring Falcons once again as the unbeaten run of the Eagles against the Falcons which dates back to September 18,1997 is still intact as the real blue beat the other blue 61-51. The Adamson Falcons, featuring its revitalized line up and patient coach Leo Austria actually found a way to shut down the Big Ateneo Machine, but unfortunately for them, stepping up is one word that the Ateneans learned from their loss four days ago.
The first quarter was like a chess match with neither team wanting to budge. Leo Canuday waxed hot as he scored 7 first quarter points. The Blue Eagles took the first quarter with a slim 16-15 lead after Nonoy Baclao’s fourth point came from a jumper from the elbow. The second quarter saw both teams tighten their defense more as both teams battled to stay on top. Ateneo drew first blood as they scored 6 points to go up 21-18. Adamson countered through Jan Colina and Jerrick Cañada to go up 22-21. Then the Blue Eagles tried to bring the momentum all the way back to Katipunan as they finished the quarter with a 7-0 run courtesy of Eric Salamat and Jai Reyes to go on top after two quarters 28-22.
The first half was so tight that the two teams had 4 deadlocks and 13 lead changes. Adamson was on track to meet their quota of 22 turnovers as they ended the half with 12 while the Blue Eagles were just 4 turnovers away. Then the third quarter happened for the Blue Eagles and they broke the game open for good.
Eric Salamat opened the third quarter with two free throws after Leo Canuday was whistled an unsportsmanlike foul. In the next play Kirk Long drained a three from the side while Salamat scored on a drive and then sank another three pointer from a Rabah screen and before you know it the Eagles were up 38 -24 with 7:43 to go. This was the spark the Blue Eagles needed to give some distance to them and the Falcons. After that run, the Blue Eagles held off countless Falcon rallies to secure the win.
The MVP, Rabah Al- Husaini, scored only 6 points on 3 of 13 shooting as he was continually hounded by the Adamson big men as he was always double or triple teamed which resulted in bad shots. Good thing that back up center Justin Chua took up the slack of Rabah by scoring 8 points. Eric Salamat topscored with 16 points while Ryan Buenafe and Jai Reyes ably backed him up. Next stop for the Blue Eagles, the NU Bulldogs.
The scores
Ateneo (61) Salamat 16, Reyes 10, Chua 8, Al-Husaini 6, Monfort 5, Buenafe 5, Baclao 4,
Adamson (51) Canuday 11, Colina 11, Cañada 8, Alvarez 8, Nuyles 7, Santos3, Margallo 3, Galinato 0, Camson 0, Lozada 0, Cabrera 0,
16-15, 28-22, 47-39, 61-51
1 comment:
Now that dude can get up
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