Blue Eagles beat Archers 71 - 61

The Ateneo defense

Adversity brings out the best in everybody.  That’s what feuls the drive of the De La Salle Green Archers to end their three game losing streak against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP. The Green Archers did their homework on defense as they constantly doubled the 7 foot Greg Slaughter in the first quarter in every possession he had the ball.  Because of this adjustment, Slaughter constantly passed the ball and gave the scoring opportunities to his team mates. Unfortunately, for the Green Archers the rest of the Blue Eagles came to play and helped Slaughter score a 71 – 61 win to give the Blue Eagles their third win in Season 75 of the UAAP.

Juami on the drive

Just like in their previous three games, the Blue Eagles started like a house on fire as Kiefer Ravena helped the Blue Eagles race to a 20 – 8 first quarter lead.  Ravena would score 10 first half points as Slaughter eventually found a crease in the Green Archers defense a he constantly challenged all the Archers big men who all came out of the first half with two fouls each.  Unfortunately for the Blue Eagles, Nico Salva and Tonino Gonzaga’s offense was not there since their mid range shots were not going in.  To compound their woes, the Blue Eagles relied on their defense as their first five and second team thwarted the Green Archer’s comeback as  the Men in Blue held on to a 36-25 first half lead.

Greg on the line

Trading Places.  Coach Norman Black saw something in the the way former Green Archer Nico Elorde played and defended. Elorde is an orchestrator and a prime defender in the mold of Tonino Gonzaga.  He is now at ease backing up lead point guard Juami Tiongson as he is slowly blossoming into the  good point guard envisioned him to be. Mark Tallo on the other hand was recruited by the Blue Eagles to succeed Eman Monfort. Unfortunately, Tallo jumped ship even before Season 74 started and went to Taft and is now one of the back ups of LA Revilla. Elorde  played for 17 minutes scoring 3 points while Tallo only two minutes with just a solitary attempt that did not go in.   In two years look for the two to get heavy minutes and battle it out again.

Kiefer on the drive

The Green Archers, proud and loud once again overcame a 16 point lead by the Blue Eagles as they came back through veteran LA Revilla and super rookie Jeron Teng.  Revilla was unstoppable, scoring on lay ups, jumpers and feeding the sensational rookie from Xavier.  Luigi dela Paz completed the Archers amazing run by scoring on a three point play to put the Men in Green ahead 45 – 44 with three minutes left in the game. They say the only way to beat the DLSU defense is to play better defense than them. Coach Norman Black eventually made adjustments that eventually paid off. He put Tonino Gonzaga on the speedy LA Revilla and Keifer Ravena on his Juniors National Team buddy Jeron Teng.  These adjustments allowed the Blue Eagles to come out with a 62 – 53 lead in the last five minutes which was more than enough for the Blue Eagles to salvage the win.

Nico scores over Torres

Nico Salva scored a silent 16 points as his jumpers were off while he scored inside at the right time in the foruth quarter.  Greg Slaughter on the other hand neutralized all the big men DLSU sent his way as he scored 20 points and hauled down seven rebounds while Norberto Torres, Yutien Andrada, Arnold Van Opstal, Papot Paredes and Ponso Gotladera scored a combined 15 points and 13 fouls on them.  LA Revilla’s primary back up Almond Vosotros never got his game going as Kiefer Ravena stole the ball from him to score on an unmolested lay up while Slaughter sent the ball almost to the stands in a monster block on Vosotros – the result air time for Tallo and rookie Thomas Torres. These are just sidelights in the first Ateneo vs La Salle game at the MOA Arena.

Kiefer pulls out

ADMU (71) – Slaughter 20, Ravena 16, Salva 16, Chua 6, Tiongson 4, Buenafe 3, Elorde 3, Pessumal 2, Erram 1, Gonzaga 0, Sumalinog 0.

DLSU (61) – Revilla 16, Teng 13, Torres N. 11, Dela Paz 7, Manguera 6, Andrada 2, Van Opstal 2, Webb 2, Mendoza 1, Tampus 1, Gotladera 0, Paredes 0, Tallo 0, Torres T. 0, Vosotros 0.

Quarter Scores: 20-8, 35-28, 53-50, 71-61

Blue Eagles rout Bulldogs

Nico Salva topscored 

for the Blue and White

Former Blue Eagle Jason Escueta couldn’t said it much better. In his facebook post three days ago he said “ Good luck sa mga may Dacanay, Que at sa susunod na kalaban ng Ateneo.” Jason was referring to two of the most avid jesuit fans of the Blue Eagles, Fr. Nemy Que and Fr. Adolfo “Dacs” Dacanay who he figured were both  devastated with the loss to the UST Growling Tigers last Thursday. What was more like a premonition was the good luck to the next opponent of the bLue Eagles who he figured would come back with sharpened claws. Lo and Behold, the highly anticipated match between the two summer league champs, the National University Bulldogs and Fr. Martin’s Cup Champ Ateneo Blue Eagles became a one sided affair as the Blue Eagles blew away the Bulldogs 89 - 65.

Greg Slaughter on the move

                                                      

Juami Tiongson started things going in the first possession of the Ateneo by scoring on a three point shot. After an NU miss Tiongson drove to the basket,  got a foul from Gelo Alolino and scored again on a three point play this time. Nico Salva drove the basket to make it 8 – 0, a fiery start by the Blue Eagles. From thereon the Bulldogs never knew what hit them and they played catch up the whole game.  Emmanuel Mbe would score eight points in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs enough breathing room but that would not be enough for the Blue Eagle onslaught.

Tonino Gonzaga worked hard 

on both offense and defense

The last time these two teams met in the Filo-oil Pre season tournament where the Bulldogs were so ferocious they routed the Blue Eagles to the tune of an 85 – 68 win with Bobby Ray Parks scoring 30 points. Unfortunately for the  Bulldogs, the Blue Eagles showed why they are the four –peat champions as their firepower was too much for the Bulldogs to handle as they scored 55 first half points. At the same time their defense was unforgiving as the rest of the Bulldogs never got their games going to support Parks and Mbe.

Nico on the drive

Aside from the good games of Nico Salva who scattered 21 points, Kiefer Ravena who had 17 points and Greg Slaughter who had 14, Justin Chua came out with a good game by scoring 12 points with Tonino Gonzaga getting 9 points while Juami Tiongson scoring 8 points.  With that much firepower there was not much denying the Blue Eagles as they also shut down Jeoff Javillonar, Gelo Alolino and Spencer Rosario who combined for three points, down from their  previous 41 point combination in their first game.  

Kiefer Ravena scores

The Blue Eagles led by as much as 27 points at one point 87 - 60 which is a testament that winning preseason tournaments and the UAAP are not the same.  This just shows that the Bulldogs are also vulnerable and can be whipped once a team plays good defense and has adequate offense to pull the win. At the same time, the Blue Eagles avoided losing back to back games this season, the last time they lost back to back was in the 2006 championships. Next stop, the Blue Eagles battle their archrivals, the Blue Eagles.

Justin Chua jumper

The scores:

Ateneo (89) – Salva 21, Ravena, 17, Slaughter 14, Chua 12, Gonzaga 9, Tiongson 8, Elorde 3, Buenafe 3, Erram 2, Porter 0, Pessumal 0, Capacio 0.

NU (65) – Parks 22, Mbe 14, Villamor 10, Ignacio 6, Rono 5, De Guzman 2, Betayene 2, Alolino 2, Khobuntin 1, Javillonar 1, Rosario 0, Neypes 0, Labing-isa 0.

Quarterscores: 28-17, 55-34, 72-54, 89-65.

Blue Eagles start season 75 with a win over Falcons

The New MOA Arena

The Ateneo Blue Eagles avenged their only defeat last year with a masterful 73 - 57 win against the Adamson Soaring Falcons. The Blue Eagles started the game like a house on fire as Kiefer Ravena, Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva opened the game with a 10 – 2  run. The Falcons then called a timeout to stem the tide and re group as the Eagles were threatening to blow them out in the opening minutes of the game. The result was quite rewarding for the Falcons as they employed a half-court double team on the Eagles which found it hard to rotate the ball which resulted in botched plays and missed field goals. At the same time, the Falcon’s Rodney Brondial torched the net by becoming the recepient of drop passes by Alex Nuyles. Nuyles would penetrate, attract the defense of Greg Slaughter and then drop it off to Brondial. This paid dividends for the Falcons as they countered with a paralyzing 14 -5 run to end the quarter on top 16 – 15.

Nico Squeezes in

The second quarter saw the Falcons race to a 20 – 17 lead as the Eagles faltered anew. After regrouping, the Blue Eagles through Nico Salva would match the Falcon’s out put and eventually get the upperhand after two quarters of action 32 – 28. The Eagles poor shooting was very evident while their defense was tentative. Brondial erupted for 13 points which was mainly on drop passes and follow ups which the Eagles failed to neutralize.  At the same time Nuyles who was the star in the Falcons win against the Eagles last year was playing decoy which was very effective for the Marcelino based team.

Introducing The comeback kid Ryan Buenafe

After the half, the Katipunan based team in Blue adjusted its defense which eventually led to a better free flowing game by the Blue Eagles.  In this quarter Alex Nuyles was now playing lead and was not satisfied to pass anymore. His jumper with 8 minutes left gave the Falcons a 35 – 34 lead. The Eagles countered  and Nuyles once again refused to let the Falcons fall behind as he scored on a nifty drive off Kiefer Ravena to make the score 39 – 42.  It was at his point that the Blue Eagles shifted to overdrive as two key assists by Ravena shifted the game’s momentum. Ravena drove to the basket then found Oping Sumalinog who sank a three pointer, after an Adamson miss, Ravena once again passed the ball to a streaking Greg Slaughter who scored on a left  handed lay up to give the Blue Eagles a commanding 49 – 39 lead.

Nico Elorde drew the hardest defensive match-up

but still shut down Alex Nuyles

The Falcons never recovered from that run, played catch up but never got things going. One adjustment that the Falcons failed to capitalize was when Coach Norman Black put Nico Elorde on Alex Nuyles. The Falcons never did fed the ball to Nuyles when he was posting and it was hard for the Adamson guard to score from thereon. At the same time the Blue Eagles put the cuffs on Brondial who never scored in the second half.  In the end, it was the defense of the Blue Eagles that triggered their offense which enabled them to coast for their first win in the 75th UAAP season. 

Greg Slaughter stood tall once again

The Amazing Jumbotron - HD Indeed

Individual Scores:

Ateneo 73 – Slaughter 17, Salva 14, Ravena 9, Sumalinog 6, Buenafe 6, TIongson 5, Erram 5, Chua 4, Gonzaga 3, Golla 2, Elorde 2, Porter 0, Pessumal 0, Lim 0, Capacio 0.

Adamson 57 – Brondial 13, Nuyles 12, Camson 10, Cabrera 10, Cruz 4, Monteclaro 3, Trollano 2, Etrone 2, Cabigas 1, Julkipli 0, Agustin 0, Abrigo 0.

Quarter scores: 15-16, 32-28, 55-45, 73-57

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Intensi-5 

GLORI - 5; This is the Ateneo Way

The Alumni Eagles

The GLORI-5 fundraiser was one for the books. For one, the five-peat seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles is most probably the only amateur squad that is squared to give the PBA veterans a run for their money.  Imagine a team with the towering and intimidating presence of the 7 foot Greg Slaughter, the versatility of Nico Salva, the genius of Ryan Buenafe and the court smarts of a Kiefer Ravena. In fact, the Blue Eagles easily outplayed the SEABA bound Philippine team that had former Blue Eagle Chris Tiu and the hulking Marcus Douthit.  

The Phenom vs. The Magnum Force

On the other side of the fence are former Blue Eagles who have made a namefor themselves after donning the Blue and White. In fact this Alumni team’s roster is an assembly of players that played with the seven (7) Ateneo champion teams from 1987 to the present.  Playing coach Olsen Racela was a part of the first UAAP titles in 1987 and 1988. Enrico Villanueva, Gec Chia, Doug Kramer and Macky Escalona were all part of the 2002 title run of the Blue and White, a season that saw Villanueva win the MVP.  

The ASSOC Boys Rabeh & Eric

Rabeh Al-Husaini and Nonoy Baclao were part of the 2008 and 2009 title run where Rabeh was the 2008 MVP and Nonoy the finals MVP.  Rabeh followed suit the next year as he was adjudged the finals MVP in 2009.  Eric Salamat and Jason Escueta on the other hand played their last year in 2010 wherein Ateneo captured its third straight title.  Kirk Long and Bacon Austria on the other hand are the two who have just gotten their fourth straight championship ring.  

The Big Ols interviewed by GMA 7

Before the event started, the Ateneo Athletics office led by Mr. Ricky Palou and Fr. Nemy Que gave out the championship rings of the four- peat team.  The rings were provided by UAAP sponsor Uni-silver.  At halftime, the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame through former Blue Eagle stand out Atty. Ogie Narvasa gave out plaques to the non players of the UAAP team namely the student Manager, Ballboys, Paulo Trillo, Debbie Tan, the assistant Coaches and Coach Norman Black. This event was also sponsored by San Miguel, Cravings and the newest energy drink Mr. Big Shot. 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles, Alumni Blue Eagles and 

the Jubilarians Ateneo HS 1987 

GLORI-5: Alumni Blue Eagles win

Olsen Racela - low post defender

Greg Slaughter is the most fearsome center in the collegiate rank today. Unfortunately, the  former UAAP  kings who once wore the Blue and White took turns in teaching him a thing or two when it comes to scoring and defense. Imagine 2002 UAAP MVP Enrico Villanueva and 2008 UAAP MVP Rabah Al-Husaini  playing together! The end result is a masterful 68 -63 by the Ateneo Alumni Blue Eagles as the former kings once again took centerstage in an event hosted by our batch, the Ateneo High School 1987 – this year’s Silver Jubilarians. 

Greg slams one in

Leading the Alumni Blue Eagles is playing coach Olsen Racela who was part of the1987 and 1988 UAAP champion teams.  Olsen started the game together with former three point king Rainier Sison who together with Gec Chia complemented the inside games of Rabah and Doug Kramer.  At the turn of the quarter came more problems for the Blue Eagles as Magnum Membrere, Bacon Austria, Macky Escalona, Jason Escueta and Nonoy Baclao showed their wares and the result was a 18 -11 quarter for the Alumni Eagles as the young Eagles searched for answers that did not come.

 Enrico Villanueva monster slam

The second quarter saw a more spirited Blue Eagle team as the comebacking Ryan Buenafe sparked a comeback that made the Blue Eagles equalize at 20 – all with five minutes left in the half.  Then Al-Husaini went to work once again and together with Doug, Gec, Magnum and Macky the Alumni Eagles would close the quarter with the lead 31 – 27.  During the quarter, Enrico Villanueva was warming up since he just arrived from his practice with Ginebra at the end of the first quarter which means more trouble for the Blue Eagles. 

Kiefer improvises

The Blue Eagles once again groped for form at the start of the third and who would have thought that Enrico Villanueva and Rabah Al-Husaini, two UAAP MVPs of different eras would be able to play together as one.  Remember, Rabah is the brother of Carlo Sharma who was Enrico’s nemesis in the 2002 UAAP Finals.  Both made matters hard for Greg Slaughter as Enrico would bump him and thump him whenever Greg was on the low post.  It’s just like one tough guy toughening up another.  Rabah would find the hoops again with his high looper finding the hoop which gave the Alumni Eagles their biggest lead  43 – 33 with 5:49 left in the third period.   The Blue Eagles once again came alive and after trailing 40 – 48 with 1:54 left in the quarter, the Blue Eagles with Frank Golla, Ryan Buenafe and Tonino Gonzaga closing the quarter with a 7 – 0 run to put the Blue Eagles within striking distance 47 – 48.

Rabah challenges Greg

The two teams eventually battled toe to toe in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with neither team giving an inch or two. Then the Alumni Eagles waxed hot as they opened up a five point lead on a run presided by Eric Salamat as the Alumni led 60 -55. Salamat showed why he was once known in Katipunan as the man of steal as he stole the ball from Tonino Gonzaga, raced the  length of the court against rookie  Nico Elorde and gave a great pass to the trailing Enrico Villanueva who scored on a monster slam that brought the house down as the Alumni Eagles led 66 - 58. On the other side of the court Salamat’s former Juniors team mate Ryan Buenafe scored on a three point shot to cut the lead down to three points.That was the last stand by the Blue Eagles as Salamat closed the game with a dagger jumper off a pick set by Nonoy Baclao and the Alumni Eagles went on to win the game.

Mr. Comeback Ryan B.

There were 24 Alumni Eagles invited to the event but unfortunately the other eleven were not able to make it.  Larry Fonacier, Japeth Aguilar and Rich Alvarez had a game against JC Intal’s B-Meg team.  LA Tenorio (who by the way was the first to confirm), Eman Monfort and Chris Tiu were all carrying the nation’s colors in competing in the SEABA meet abroad. Jai Reyes is out of country playing in Bangkok, Ford Arao is injured and Wesley Gonzalez had to fly to the US on a family emergency. Paolo Bugia although injured was also there to cheer on and watch the Alumni get the win.

 Nico eludes defenders

The Ateneo High School batch 1987 mounted the event as a fund raiser for the Ateneo Homecoming on December 8, 2012. Part of the proceeds will also go to our beneficiaries namely the Tulong Dunong foundation and the Jesuit Infirmary. A million thanks to those who witnessed this once in a lifetime experience now were off to support our beloved Blue Eagles to the forthcoming UAAP. Ateneo -  Come Alive, Feel the Vibe, Glori-5.

The Blue and White Eagles

  

GLORI - 5

Season 75 of the UAAP is fast approaching and the Ateneo Blue Eagles open the season with much energy as they go on a historic feat to capture their fifth straight Men's title and eighth over-all. To launch their campaign, Ateneo High School 1987 has set up a fund raiser as the Blue Eagles go up against the Alumni Blue Eagles.  For four years the Blue Eagles have lorded it over the UAAP and they hope that in Coach Norman Black's last year as head coach they win their fifth straight crown.  Ateneo - Come Alive, Feel the Vibe ..GLORI - 5!