Eagles defuse fiery Warriors comeback

Ateneo survived a furious University of the East fightback in the fourth quarter as it hacked out a 65-63 victory yesterday to gain a share of second spot in the 68th UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Doug Kramer, a player noted more for his defense, scored on a crucial putback down the stretch to cushion the impact of the Warriors’ rally. He finished with 10 points and seven rebounds to cop the best player of the game honors for the third straight time.

"We need him to play well because he’s our most prominent big man, especially in defense," said Ateneo coach Norman Black, whose wards are now tied with the Warriors and the UP Maroons at No. 2 spot with 4-2 (win-loss) slates.

The Eagles built a 58-42 lead on a triple by Magnum Membrere in the fourth quarter but the Warriors roared back to close within three, 60-57, with less than five minutes to go in the contest.

But an undergoal stab by Kramer and a nifty driving lay-up by LA Tenorio in the ensuing plays thwarted the Warriors’ comeback and snapped the Recto-based cagers’ four-game streak.

Tenorio, who opted not to turn pro this year to lead the Eagles’ title bid, fell to cramps anew but still chalked up big numbers with 10 assists and eight points, highlighted by a basket off a superb fake-pass that drew raves from the fans. He also had six rebounds and three steals.

Earlier, Axel Doruelo came through with his best effort thus far as University of the Philippines shackled Adamson, 77-61, to end a two-game slump and brace itself against unbeaten Far Eastern U.

Doruelo, a transferee from San Sebastian-Cavite, exploded with career-highs 26 points, 16 of which coming in the second half, and 13 rebounds as the Maroons gained their fourth victory in six outings and some form of momentum going into their much-awaited duel with the Tamaraws, unscathed in six games, tomorrow.

"I’ve got to give it to him because he promised me to play big in this game and he did," said UP coach Lito Vergara.

Nestor David also made a good account of himself by churning out 19 points, including eight in the final quarter when the Maroons put the outcome beyond doubt.

Starting guards Joemar Canuday and Marvin Poloyapoy returned to action after missing out four games due to injuries but they too failed to spark the Falcons, who fell to their third straight loss and fourth overall against two victories.

Canuday is recovering from a right hip injury while Poloyapoy a right ankle injury.