Eagles, Archers frolic in calm before storm

MANILA, Philippines - Rivals Ateneo and La Salle warmed up for their upcoming showdown by trampling separate foes yesterday in the UAAP Season 73 seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles waylaid National University, 69-49, to join Adamson at No. 2 with their seventh win against two losses, one game behind Far Eastern’s pacesetting 8-1.

The Green Archers earlier manhandled a depleted University of the Philippines side, 84-63, to solidify their grip of fourth spot.

Forward Ryan Buenafe shot 14 points that went with five assists and two blocks while center Justin Chua had 10 markers, five rebounds and three swats as Ateneo made it five in a row dating back to the first round.

Black said defense, as always, keyed their romp. “That’s really our calling card. We really wanna come out and play good defense each game; it’s the reason we’re winning in the past,” said Black, whose wards held NU to a 16-of-54 shooting (29.6 percent).

“Even though we don’t have the defensive presence of (former players) Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Noy Baclao we still play good team defense today,” he added.

Shackling the Bulldogs to only nine conversions, the Eagles stormed to a 40-20 second quarter bubble, which never got lower than 14 in the next 20 minutes of play.

 It was total domination for the Eagles, who won the battle of the boards, 40-25, and had more assists, 14-7, steals, 10-7, and blocks, 8-3.

Emmanuel Mbe and Jewel Ponferrada had 13 and 12 points, respectively, for NU (3-6), which missed the services of suspended Glenn Khobuntin.

La Salle went 6-3 as Alvin Villanueva (14), Jarelan Tampus (11), Gab Banal (11) and Almond Vosotros (10) punched in 10 points or more against winless UP.

The Maroons, who entered the game one man short due to the suspension of Alvin Padilla but lost two more to injuries – Mark Lopez (suspected ACL in the third) and Woody Co (sprain also in the third), slipped to 0-9.

“Our strategy was to start strong and outhustle UP,” said DLSU coach Dindo Pumaren, whose wards next battle rival Ateneo on Sunday.

“In the second half, I told the boys to share the ball and think – that’s why we had 24 assists – and also to crash the boards (52 rebounds against UP’s 48) ,” he added.

The Green Archers went ahead as planned, seizing a 37-26 lead in the second canto. They continued the rampage in the last 20 minutes when they extended their edge to as many as 26 points, 83-57, late in the final canto.

Pumaren had the luxury of sitting out Samuel Marata to allow him to fully recover from flu in time for their big game against Ateneo.

In Marata’s absence, the Archers drew best efforts from their second unit, including Nico Elorde (five assists) and Indonesian Ferdinand (five markers and two rebounds).

“Everytbody’s stepping up. I’m very happy that even if Marata’s out, Gab (Banal) took charge, even Ferdinand is playing well; he’s more aggressive now. Even Elorde, he played well today,” Pumaren said.

Mike Silungan and Magi Sison fired 12 markers apiece while Co finished with 10 points and 10 boards for UP.