Escalona fuels Eagles torrid run

Macky Escalona, who used to play backup to LA Tenorio, took the lead role for Ateneo this time, firing 19 points as the Eagles clawed the University of the Philippines Maroons, 67-57, in the 68th UAAP basketball tournament at the Blue Eagles Gym yesterday.

Not only did the victory stretch the Eagles’ win run to six but it also firmed up their hold of the third spot with an overall mark of 7-2 behind the FEU Tams (8-1) and UE Warriors (8-2) heading into the crucial phase of the double-round elims.

Escalona capped his game-long brilliance with back-to-back baskets midway in the fourth quarter, keying a 6-0 Ateneo run highlighted by sophomore Japeth Aguilar’s two-handed reversed slam that sent the home crowd into frenzied celebration.

"The second team stepped up and played better in the second half," said Ateneo coach Norman Black. "But it was Macky who stood out with his gutsy plays."

Truly, Black got the needed firepower from his bench particularly from Jai Reyes, Ken Barracoso, Zion Laterre and Martin Quimson, who combined for 18 points.

Marvin Cruz sizzled with 12 points in the first half but was shut down the rest of the way as UP fell from a share of fourth spot with idle defending champion La Salle (5-4) to fifth place with a 5-5 (win-loss) slate.

Tenorio finished 11 points, the same output of the 6-foot-7 Aguilar, but had to sit out most of the fourth quarter due to cramps.

Trailing 33-34 early in the third canto, Ateneo went to Tenorio, who drained a triple that sparked a blistering run that saw the Eagles seize a 51-40 lead late in the period.

With Escalona on the firing end, the Eagles outscored the Maroons, 12-8, early in the first quarter.

Cruz countered by spewing fire in a 14-1 binge that saw the Diliman-based dribblers snatch a 22-13 advantage early in the second period.

Escalona then teamed up with Tenorio in a 10-0 blitz as Ateneo regained a 23-22 upperhand, a lead that was erased by Cruz, who came through with six points to close the half with UP grabbing control again, 28-27.

Earlier, Adamson overcame a sluggish start as it slammed National U, 93-67, to stay in the hunt for a Final Four berth.

Jojo Hate, playing on his last season, led Adamson’s attack with 19 points he spiked with 13 rebounds and two assists as the Falcons notched their third win against seven losses.

It was the Bulldogs’ ninth straight setback.