Ateneo opens title defense with huge win
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/12/2009 7:28 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
MANILA - Rabeh Al-Hussaini stamped his class in this one.
The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles turned to the reigning MVP down the stretch to pull off a 63-59 squeaker over host Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in the showdown of title favorites in the 72nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the Big Dome.
Ateneo broke a 54-all deadlock with seven unanswered points leading to the all-important first win underscoring its readiness to defend its title.
After Aldrech Ramos, on a sensational feed from Andy Barroca, tied the game for the last time with 6:48 to go, the Tamaraws’ inexperience began to unravel.
Al Hussaini worked on the post and scored twice – the last one on a 1-on1 play – that put Ateneo comfortably on top, 61-54, 1:17 left in the game.
FEU did not score until the final 40.1 seconds on Ramos’ three-point play of his own to stop the Tamaraws’ bleeding.
The Blue Eagles almost let the game slip away when Reil Cervantes scored on a coast-to-coast run off a turnover to close the gap, 61-59.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year Ryan Buenafe split his charities to give the Tamaraws an opening to send the game into overtime.
Andy Barroca tried to break away from his guard but decided to pass the ball to rookie RR Reyes, who muffed his three-point attempt.
Al Hussaini sealed the game with a split and a statement, “Halos lahat ng tao sinasabi nila na FEU ang mananalo ngayon, pero pinatunayan namin na malakas pa rin kami.”
Ateneo coach Norman Black, however, did not buy his prized ward’s statement saying the season has still a long way to go but admitted that this win is huge for their morale.
Ateneo controlled the first half and led by double digits only to see the FEU rally down the stretch.
“Defensively, we had too many lapses and we still have to work on that,” Black said. Alder T. Almo, uaapsports.com
The Scores:
ADMU 63 – Al Hussaini 18, Buenafe 10, Salva 9, Salamat 8, Monfort 8, Reyes 7, Long 3, Golla 0, Chua 0, Baclao 0, Austria 0.
FEU 59 – Ramos 15, Barroca 12, Noundou 9, Garcia 8, Cervantes 6, Cawaling 4, Sanga 3, Knuttel 2, Exciminiano 0, Eguilos 0, Caluag 0.
Quarters: 17-11, 40-29, 50-47, 63-59.
For more UAAP news: www.uaapsports.com
Comments