Blue Eagles survive Green Archers in overtime

Opening Tip

Three of the four Ateneo UAAP championships came at the expense of the De La Salle University with the Green Archers winning only once against the Blue Eagles. But then again, if you ask everyone, each game is treated like a championship whether which school has the advantage or is better on paper or has the better win-loss card. But if you ask everyone, it is always hard work, perseverance and resiliency that wins the games and today’s game is no different than the previous 61 meetings. The Ateneo Blue Eagles needed another extra five minutes to put off a stubborn DLSU Team as they endured a test of will and strength to win 76-72 in overtime in round 1 of the 72^nd UAAP.

Eric to the Basket

The 2009 Green Archers are composed mainly of rookies and sophomores and the Green team started their UAAP campaign on a sour note by losing their first two games. Since then they have racked up four straight wins with the last one being a come from behind double overtime win against the UST Growling Tigers. In that game, the Green Archer's rookie sensation Arvie Bringas has come out of his slump to lead the Team in green to the win. The Blue and Green have a monopoly of Juniors MVPs as the 2006 UAAP and 2007 NCAA MVPs, Bacon Austria and Ryan Buenafe are with the team in Blue while the 2007 UAAP and 2008 NCAA Jrs. MVPs, Joshua Webb and Arvie Bringas are in the green side of things.

Gang Green Gang Up on Rabah

The Green Archers started the game with more intensity as their full court press went to work early, frustrating the Blue Eagle guards and definitely giving them a lot of time to set up which eventually led to bad shot selections. Joshua Webb scored 17 first half points which is a result mostly of fastbreaks and unmolested drives to the hoop. The Green Archer’s thump and bump defense was in effect while their hustle plays resulted in fastbreak points as they outclassed the Eagles in both ends of the court when the Green Archers dropped a 10 – 3 run in the last 5 minutes of the half to lead 40 – 32 after 20 minutes of action.

Nonoy scores on this jumper

The Green Archers started the third quarter with a string of baskets and kept the Blue Eagles within striking distance as they got to their biggest lead of the game at 46-36. The Blue Eagles on the other hand got inspiration from the Ateneo Blue Eagles of old, the 1987- 1988 champion team was there to cheer their younger brothers to awaken the heart that made them a champion and get back at the game. The 1987-1988 Blue Eagles present were Olsen Racela, Danny Francisco, Raymond Morales, Saint Mendoza, Jet Nieto, Sep Canlas, Jojo Habana and Eric Reyes. Hollering from three sections back, the Spirit of 1987-88 inspired the boys on the court and in true blue fashion Team 2009 did not disappoint as they came alive in the fourth quarter.

Rabah with the jump hook

Last year’s MVP Rabah Al-Husaini went out after spraining his feet, he landed on one of the players and was carried back to the bench – he was unable to return to the game. Rabah scored 10 first quarter points but was bothered by the defense of 6 ‘5 DLSU Rookie Yutien Andrada whose long arms blocked 2 of Rabah's shots and tapped the ball out of his hands on a post up play which resulted in an unsportsmanlike foul for Rabah. Unfortunately, the MVP was better off at the bench than on the court.

Nonoy scores

That was the cue that Jai Reyes needed as he took matters into his own hands as he singlehandedly brought back the Eagles as he cut the DLSU deficit to two points with his two booming triples after the Green Archers led 54-46, the score eventually became 54-52 . Eric Salamat on the other hand was back to his usual role as the man of steal while Nonoy Baclao once again was all business in retaining his monicker as the Sultan of Swat while the last puzzle on the court were Bacon Austria and Nico Salva who became the energizer for the Blue Eagles. The turning point in the fourth quarter was when Joshua Webb and Simon Atkins were called for two unsportsmanlike fouls after Bacon Austria has given out a foul. Trailing 56-57, the free throw and extra possession gave the Blue Eagles a 60-57 lead as Bacon sank a freebie and Eric Salamat sank a triple.

Jockeying for position

Nico Salva atoned for this earlier miscues by sinking a jumper off a pass by Eric Salamat and the Blue Eagles got comfortably ahead 64-61. With the Blue Eagles leading 65-61, Eric Salamat had the chance to put the game beyond recall but just sank one free throw. After sueing for time, Arvie Bringas sank a three pointer and after the Blue Eagles scored to make it 67-64, Hyram Bagatsing scored on an off balance three pointer to send the game into overtime.

Nico eludes Andrada

When the overtime period came, Nico Salva and Nonoy Baclao flexed their muscles in holding down the green archers to just 5 points as Baclao shut down Joshua Webb. On the other hand, Nico Salva’s offense put the game beyond recall. Salva had two magnificent putbacks and was at the right place at the right time and as the saying goes he was there in the NICKOf time - "Sinalba ni Salva ang Ateneo!" The Blue Eagles had enough to finish off their opponent.It was a game that showed that we cannot take the Green Archers for granted event if they have a bunch of rookies and sophomores and if the Blue Eagles cannot match the intensity of DLSU then they will be blown away. Nico Salva, Bacon Austria and Nonoy Baclao all joined hands to give the Ateneo the upperhand and the win.

To Tita Cory, this one is for you

Bacon Austria and Eric Salamat were on the bench during the crucial stretch of the overtime as both players were already experiencing cramps. Jai Reyes' feet were also hurting during one stretch of the game while Nonoy Baclao returned to play eventhough he hurt his hand after a bad fall. The walking wounded eventually found other ways to get through the pesky DLSU defense and win the game and keep their streak alive. With the way Green and Blue played today, look for the round two game to be more exciting. The Blue Eagles narrowed the gap with their Green counterpart in their overall matchup to 28-34.

The 1987-1988 UAAP Champion Blue Eagles

The scores:

Ateneo 76 – Salamat 13, Al-Hussaini 13, Salva 10, Reyes 8, Baclao 7, Austria 7, Long 5, Buenafe 5, Sumalinog 3, Monfort 3, Chua 2.

DLSU 72 – Webb 26, Bringas 10, Mendoza 8, Bagatsing 7, Malabes 6, Co 4, Marata 3, Tolentino 2, Ferdinand 2, Barua 2, Andrada 2, Villanueva 0, Mangahas 0, Atkins 0.

Quarter scores: 22-26, 32-40, 46-50, 67-67, 76-72.