Blue Eagles get back at Maroons

Eric on the drive

The Ateneo Blue Eagles made sure that they will have the last say in the Battle of Katipunan as their revenge was sweeter this time around in handing the UP Fighting Maroons a 93-75 beating. The Blue Eagles were all business this time around and needed just one good quarter to dispose the Fighting Maroons as the Eagles offense started like a house on fire after igniting a 14 -0 opening salvo in the first four minutes of action.

Rabah is fouled hard

Jai Reyes started things going with a three pointer, then Kirk Long scored on a fastbreak. Rabah in turn scored on an “AND ONE” play, Eric Salamat in turn would score 4 straight free throws and Rabah added to the Maroons woes with a jumper to lead 14 – 0. The Maroons opened the quarter with 5 turnovers and scored on the 6:04 Mark on Woody Co’s free throw. The Maroons eventually recovered as Martin Reyes scored two three pointers while Arvin Braganza scored on another as the Maroons found themselves in a 13 - 27 first quarter deficit.

On the fastbreak

The second quarter was no different as the MVP started things rolling with a basket then the Blue Eagles second team scored heavily on the Maroons as Eman Monfort and Nico Salva combined with Rabah, Eman and Jai to erect an insurmountable 49 – 29 halftime lead. Actually, the Maroons were not that bad since they converted 6 three pointers courtesy of Martin Reyes and Arvin Braganza, but unfortunately that was all she wrote as Mark Lopez, Mikee Reyes, Magi Sison and the rest of the Maroons could not find their mark and were stifled by the Ateneo defense.

The Plastic Man

The second half belonged to the man of steal whose hand salute has become his gesture second signature move. Eric Salamat scored 10 second half points to end up with a career high of 23 points. Not to be outdone was Jai Reyes who was near perfection from the three point range. Reyes outgunned the two other Reyes from UP as he scored all his 18 points from beyond the arc as he shot 6 of 9 from that area. The MVP had a quiet 16 points since most of it were spread all through out the game.

Kirk goes to straight to the basket

The Blue Eagles also showed that they can spread the ball well as they had a season UAAP record of 25 assists. Jai and Eric had 6 and 5 assists respectively while Ryan had 4, Kirk and Bacon had 3 each. The Ateneo defense was also sharp as Kirk got three steals while Eric and Oping had two apiece. Three-point shooting was almost the same for both squads with the Blue Eagles shooting slightly better after going 11 for 28 as against the Maroons 11 for 31. With this kind of game, the Blue Eagles are hopeful that they have more games like this to come.

Ryan passes the ball to Rabah

ATENEO 93

Salamat 23, Reyes 18, Al-Hussaini 16, Monfront 9, Salva 8, Long 7, Buenafe 5, Sumalinog 4, Gonzaga 2, Austria 1, Tiongson 0, Golla 0, De Chavez 0, Chua 0, Burke 0.

UP 75

Reyes, Martin 21, Braganza 13, Padilla 10, Co 8, Sison 4, Gingerich 4, Astorga 4, Astorga 4, lopez 3, Hipolito 3, Gamboa 3, Maniego 2, Reyes, Miguel 0, Marfori 0, Juruena 0, Gomez 0, De Asis 0.

Quarter Scores: 27-13, 49-29, 76-51, 93-75

The man of Steal scores 23 points