UAAP: Eagles bounce back, ground Bulldogs

(Updated 7:04pm) After a one-point loss to the UST Growling Tigers, Thursday, Ateneo showed on Sunday why you should never count out the defending champions. In a clash of contenders, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles pummeled the National University Bulldogs, 89-65, Sunday, in the first round of the 75th UAAP mens’ seniors division basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. "We just wanted to play a complete 40 minutes in this game," said Eagles head coach Norman Black. "We reminded [our players] to focus on our defense, just in case our offense wasn't clicking." Black also noted that the Bulldogs didn't make many adjustments after halftime. Shooting guard Kiefer Ravena also said that the team faced many expectations coming into the game, saying, "We know we're a good team, we just have to show it. After that loss from UST, it was mandatory for us to win tonight." Ateneo was hot early, as Juami Tiongson splashed in six quick points for the Eagles. A three-ball by Ravena capped an 11-2 run for Ateneo, just two and a half minutes into the game. The Bulldogs quickly regained their senses and launched an 11-6 run, courtesy of six markers from Mbe, to trail by four, 17-14. The Eagles, however, would have the final say as they held NU to only one field goal in the last four minutes. Good halfcourt execution from the Katipunan-based squad resulted in an 11-4 run, gaining a 28-17 lead after the first period. Parks opened the second quarter for NU with a lay-up along the baseline, but the Eagles found their men unguarded down low, as JP Erram and Justin Chua were wide open on consecutive plays, with fifth-year player Chua dumping seven points on the Bulldogs in the resulting 9-2 run. Parks picked up his second personal foul during the stretch, and he was benched briefly while his team faced a 39-21 hole. The reigning MVP checked back in to provide some relief for NU, trading baskets with the Eagles for a 44-29 tally. But Ateneo had the final say, as Nico Elorde and Slaughter combined for an 11-5 run to take a 55-34 lead into the break. Ateneo's ‘Big Three’ of Salva, Ravena and Slaughter produced nine of Ateneo's last 16 points in the half. The Eagles got fancy with a 6-2 run in the third quarter, featuring a cross-court alleyoop from Tiongson to Salva that threatened to blow the game open. However, the Bulldogs buckled down on the defensive end and rattled off eight unanswered, 61-44, capped by a transition layup from Mbe, that forced Ateneo head coach Norman Black into a timeout. Ateneo promptly went back to work, capping an 8-4 run with an and-one play from Ravena with under three minutes to play. Mbe and Parks scored six unanswered for the Bulldogs, keeping Ateneo scoreless until the last second, as Ryan Buenafe rifled a three from the right wing, carrying the game's momentum and a 72-54 lead into the payoff period. In the final period, a 7-0 explosion from Ateneo effectively put the game away, making it 83-57 with 4:14 left. With three or so minutes left, the two teams then inserted their reserves, signaling the end of the Ateneo beatdown. The Eagles showed a balanced team effort, led by Nico Salva's 21 points and five rebounds. Kiefer Ravena added 17 markers, six rebounds and five assists on 5 for 9 shooting. Greg Slaughter had 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while reserve center Justin Chua added 12 points. Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. led all scorers with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Emmanuel Mbe had 14 points and six rebounds, while Denice Villamor had 10 points and six boards. After a fine shooting performance against the UE Red Warriors, the Bulldogs couldn't find their mark in this game, hitting only 2-of-21 attempts from downtown. The Eagles, meanwhile, made four of eleven from that range, and held advantages in rebounds (44-35), assists (24-15), and turnover points (16-10). NU had beaten Ateneo 85-68 during the summer FilOil Flying V Preseason Tournament, casting them as a huge threat to the Blue Eagles' drive for a five-peat, but their success did not carry over in this game, as ADMU extended their win streak in the UAAP over the Bulldogs to nine straight victories. Ateneo improved to 2-1, in a tie with rivals De La Salle University Green Archers, while NU fell to .500 with a 1-1 record. - AMD, GMA News The scores: ADMU 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 Quarter scoring: 28-17, 55-34, 72-54, 89-65