Sunday, September 5, 2010

UAAP: Eagles in escape act, clinch twice-to-beat

Almost but not quite
Eagles barely escape but come out with twice-to-beat advantage

By Josiah Israel Albelda
5 September 2010


With more than four minutes remaining and University of Santo Tomas down 55-70, a Growling Tigers assistant coach screamed on his players.


"Maghigpit naman tayo sa depensa!"


On the next play, Ateneo de Manila guard Chris de Chavez sank a three-pointer to push the Blue Eagles further up, 73 - 55.


The UST cagers, however, would have none of that anymore. 


The EspaƱa-based squad locked down on the defending back-to-back champions and drilled three-pointer after three-pointer but fell really short as Ateneo escaped with a 81 - 77 victory to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the upcoming Final Four of the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.


"They started bombing us with three pointers," Coach Norman Black told reporters. "It's very difficult to defend a team that is shooting like that."


True enough, the Tigers almost completed the comeback but forward Melo Afuang missed a wide-open undergoal stab with 11.5 seconds remaining.


Kirk Long atoned for crucial miscues by splitting his charities as the Katipunan-based five chalked up their 10th win in the tournament and assured themselves of an advantage when the semifinals begin two weeks from now.


UST's searing comeback breathed fire into an otherwise sleepy afternoon with Ateneo seemingly cruising to an easy win when they put up their biggest lead, 68 - 49, a little over five minutes on the clock.


"We won the game, that's the most important thing," a relieved Black said.


The Eagles were in control of the match almost all throughout - thanks to Erik Salamat rediscovering his sharp shooting form and bench player Chris de Chavez providing offensive spark.


Salamat had 18 points, five assists and two steals for Ateneo while de Chavez added 12 markers. 


On the other hand, the Tigers looked uninterested at times but found refuge in their hustle and trifecta expertise to mount a comeback that nobody thought they would.


A win could've come as a perfect gift for UST Coach Pido Jarencio, who celebrated his 46th birthday.


It turned out to be a nightmare, though, for the Tigers as they continued their slide with this ninth loss in 13 matches.


Sophomores Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista outscored the Eagles in the fourth quarter and finished with a combined 39 points, seven rebounds and five assists. They had eight three-pointers.


All UST players suited up for the game but only seven of 15 scored.


The scores:


Ateneo (81) - Salamat 18, De Chavez 12, Chua 11, Long 10, Dela Cruz 6, Monfort 6, Buenafe 6, Golla 5, Salva 3, Tiongson 2, Austria 2, Escueta 0


UST (77) - Teng 23, Bautista 16, Daquioag 10, Afuang 10, Mariano 8, Fortuna 6, Pe 4, Wong 0, Tinte 0, Marata 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0, Marquez 0, Camus 0, Aytona 0


Quarterscores: 17 - 13; 40 - 23; 60 - 45; 81 - 77

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