MANILA – What was expected to be another thriller turned into to a one-sided horror as the Ateneo Blue Eagles reasserted their mastery over the De La Salle Green Archers, 81-65, during Sunday’s 72nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball tournament at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum.

Reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini atoned for his lackluster performance during their first meeting with a game-high 26 points in leading the Blue Eagles’ searing charge.

The 6’6” slotman anchored two vicious assaults by the Blue Eagles – 10-0 spurt at the start of the game and a 15-8 exchange at the start of third – that kept their rivals dumbfounded.

His last basket at 3:33 mark of the final period gave the defending champions an insurmountable 73-50 lead, their biggest in the game witnessed by 17,524 fans eclipsing last Sunday’s first round meeting which drew 15,707 fans.

“Today is probably the best game we have played in the season.  Finally, we started strong and finished strong,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black said.

The Green Archers have no answer to the reigning MVP and the Blue Eagles’ relentless attack.

La Salle’s sophomore forward Joshua Webb, who exploded for a superstar-like 26 points in their first meeting, was reduced to an average player churning out only 13 points this time behind veteran Peejay Barua’s 16 points.

One week made a lot of difference for the Blue Eagles, who needed an extra period to turn back the Green Archers, 76-72, last Sunday.

“They were using the same screens they used before with (Mac) Cardona, (Joseph) Yeo and (Jayvee) Casio last season.  We spent a lot of time in practice preparing for their double, triple staggered screens.  I think our defense created a lot of our offense,” explained Black.

The loss reeled the Green Archers to their third straight setback after winning four straight following a 0-2 start.

It was the first three-game losing streak of the any DLSU team under coach Franz Pumaren.

The Blue Eagles’ sixth straight win over their rivals, gave them a league-leading 8-1 win-loss record. Alder T. Almo

The Scores:

ADMU 81 – Al-Hussaini 26, Salamat 11, Salva 10, Baclao 9, Long 8, Reyes 6, Tiongson 5, Monfort 3, Chua 2, Buenafe 1, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0, Austria 0.

DLSU 65 – Barua 16,     Webb 13, Villanueva 10, Tolentino 6, Marata 6, Mangahas 4, Bringas 3, Andrada 3, Malabes 2, Co 2, Mendoza 0, Ferdinand 0, Bagatsing 0, Atkins 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 44-27, 63-47, 81-65.

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