UAAP: DLSU vs ADMU preview and live-scoring (round 2)

Game starts at 4pm. Page auto-refreshes every 30 seconds. First round meeting: The defending champion Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles relied on a tried-and-tested formula, transition baskets and free throws, to carve out a 71-61 win over arch-rivals De La Salle University Green Archers, last July 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Blue Eagles came out like a house on fire, erupting for a 20-8 first quarter, but their momentum slowed over the next two periods, allowing DLSU to play catch-up. A 7-0 burst in the third quarter got DLSU within single digits, 37-33, 7:10 left, before an and-one play by Luigi Dela Paz put them on top, 45-44, 3:13 remaining. Baskets by Kiefer Ravena to end the third put Ateneo back on top, 53-50, then a 7-0 run by the Blue Eagles swung momentum back to their side, 62-53, 5:51 left in the final quarter. DLSU's last score came at the 1:50 mark when Jeron Teng split charities at the line, 66-61, but it was all Ateneo from then on, as they scored five more to arrive at the final score. The win back in round one put ADMU at 2-1, while DLSU evened their card at 2-2. Key stats: Ateneo's winning formula worked like a charm. The Blue Eagles got 34 free throw attempts and made 25, far away from DLSU's 15-of-20 free throw clip. The Eagles also got a 12-7 edge in fast break points, with nine coming in their dominant first quarter. La Salle managed to match Ateneo rebound-for-rebound however, 45-all, and edged them 21-16 in the offensive rebound category, which translated into a 15-10 second-chance points difference. The Archers were also more accurate from range, making four triples on 18 tries. Ateneo, on the other hand, missed all seven of their three-pointers. Ateneo currently boasts of the best offense in the league, scoring 74.6 points on 42 percent field goal shooting. They take and make the most free throws (28.1 FTA on 74.3 FT%), top the fast break points stat (12.2 ppt), and score the most points in the paint (37.3ppg). La Salle will try to slow their opponents down with their top-ranked defense. They allow the fewest points, 63.4 ppg, and shut opponents down from the field (33.3 FG%, 37.3 2pt%, 21.4 3pt%). They can also, on paper, shutdown ADMU's running attack, conceding just 6.6 fast break points a game. The kicker though is ADMU is right behind DLSU in those defensive statistics (points allowed, FG%, 2pt%, and 3pt%), which means this ought to be a tightly-contested game, as is the norm when these two teams clash. DLSU needs to: Force Ateneo into outside shots and limit their fast break points, generally the formula used by teams to beat Ateneo. The problem is, versus FEU, the Eagles surprised the Tams by nailing 7-of-19 triples. If they're that hot still, DLSU will have to play them straight up and hope their defense holds. One possible hiccup in the DLSU game plan is the day-to-day status of point guard LA Revilla and power forward Yutien Andrada, who have missed the last two games for the Archers (Revilla has missed the last three). Without those two, they'll have to rely more on Thomas Torres and Arnold Van Opstal, who have considerably less experience. ADMU needs to: Contain bluechip rookie Jeron Teng. The Archers norm just 66.4 points per game, with Teng accounting for 15.8 of those markers. If LA Revilla is out and Norbert Torres continues to struggle, the Archers might have a hard time finding other sources of points. Ateneo's defense is expected to take a hit though with the one-game suspension of reserve big man JP Erram. He's averaging just 3.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, but head coach Norman Black has been going to him more often as of late, and opposing teams have struggled to score when he's on the floor together with 7'0" center Greg Slaughter. DLSU projected starting five: Jeron Teng (9 points on 4/13 FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists vs UST), LA Revilla, Jed Manguera, Jovet Mendoza, Norbert Torres ADMU projected starting five: Juami Tiongson (16 points on 5/10 FG, 2/4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal vs FEU) Kiefer Ravena, Ryan Buenafe, Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva