FilOil: Reigning champs ADMU Blue Eagles dodge upstart Perpetual Altas

It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless. The reigning titlists Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles withstood a late-game surge from the University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta Altas, defeating them 62-60 to stay on top of the Group A standings of the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Cup, Wednesday at the San Juan Arena. Facing a 10-point deficit after three quarters, the Altas unleashed a 10-2 run featuring and-one plays from Femi Babayembi, Justine Allano and Juneric Baloria to keep themselves in contention, but 7'0" Blue Eagle Greg Slaughter responded by scoring 6 of his team's next 11 points to keep UPHS at bay. The Altas fought back to bring the game within a single point, but a crucial turnover led to a fast break layup by Oping Sumalimog on the other end with 19 seconds left, giving his side a three-point lead, 60-57. Unafraid of the big moment, Perpetual Help sophomore guard Earl Thompson, who finished with eight points, hit a three-pointer to draw his team even after the ensuing timeout, draining less than six seconds on the clock. Ateneo went back to their big man, giving the ball to Slaughter down low, where he drew a foul. After shooting 4-of-7 from the line versus Letran in the tournament opener, Slaughter gave his side the lead for good with two go-ahead free throws with three seconds left on the clock. That was still enough time for Thompson to throw up a prayer, but the shot hit glass, icing the win for the Eagles. Season 74 UAAP Finals MVP Nico Salva, who logged just nine minutes in their previous FilOil outing, led all scorers with 15 points, in addition to eight rebounds and four assists. Slaughter posted another double-double, 13 points, all but two coming in the second half, and 13 boards, and Sumalinog and Kiefer Ravena added 11 and 10, respectively. Salva combined with forward Frank Golla in the opening quarter to produce an early 13-2 lead for Ateneo. That was when the Eagles' defense was at its sharpest, holding UPHSD to only a single field goal until the 4:21 mark. Altas guard Chris Elorpe made a three-pointer to end the drought as his squad fought to trim the deficit to seven points at the end of the period, 23-16. The Altas threatened the Ateneo lead in the second quarter as they made a late 9-4 rally, but a Ravena buzzer-beater preserved kept the Eagles out ahead, 36-30 at the half. It was in the third period where UPHS faltered. They only made two field goals, including starting forward Anthony Paulino's lone basket. The Blue Eagles didn't do much better however, with just nine points in the same period, but those markers proved necessary in withstanding the 25-point Altas' blitz in the final quarter. The bench was a huge factor in Aric del Rosario's coaching debut for UPHS, scoring 33 of the team's total. Foreign center Babayembi bolstered his team with 12 points and 15 rebounds, six of them from the offensive side. Veteran scorer Jett Vidal also chipped in nine points and six rebounds. Assistant coach Sandy Arrespacochaga took over at the helm for the Blue Eagles in the absence of head coach Norman Black. - AMD, GMA News The scores: ADMU 62: Salva 15, Slaughter 13, Sumalinog 11, Ravena 10, Golla 6, Gonzaga 3, Chua 2, Erram 2, Tiongson 0, Elorde 0, Pessumal 0, Capacio 0 UPHS 60: Babayemi 12, Vidal 9, Allano 8, Elorpe 8, Thompson 8, Arboleda 7, Baloria 5, Paulino 3, Jolangcob 0, Asuncion 0 Quarter scores: 23-16, 36-30, 45-35, 62-60 FilOil 041812 ADMU vs UPHSD