Unlikely heroes steer Eagles over Tams

MANILA, Philippines - Drawing a “perfect game” from Nico Salva and big-time defensive contribution from seldom-used JP Erram, Ateneo hacked out an emphatic 82-64 rout of Far Eastern to seize the headstart in the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball title series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The 6-3 Salva made FEU pay for focusing much on towering Greg Slaughter, shooting a flawless 8-of-8 from the field and 8-of-8 from the stripe to pour in 24 markers as the Eagles moved one win away from achieving a four-peat.

“We were really going to Nico in this game. I knew that they (FEU) were going to double Greg and put a lot of attention on him, so that will take a lot of attention off Nico. So we decided to attack with Nico and he delivered for us big time,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

Salva fired eight in the third canto that fuelled Ateneo’s breakaway from a 45-45 standoff to a 60-49 tear entering the final period.

“What a time for Nico to have that type of game during the championship series. At the same time, he also did a good job defensively in the second half, particularly covering up for Greg whenever they (FEU) were setting their pick and rolls,” said Black, whose team enjoyed its biggest lead at 75-55.

“It was mainly because of Greg, they didn’t really double him but they help out and my teammates were able to recognize the open man. I just took the open shots,” said Salva, a little surprised to learn of his perfect clip.

Black’s crew had trouble dealing with the Tams’ pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops in the first 20 minutes, which saw FEU even taking a 28-18 lead.

“They (FEU) did a good job of running their pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop against us and our big men were sitting too far back in the lane. They’re really attacking our big men and scoring very easily so we just adjusted to defend them a lot better in the second half,” said Black.

Erram (four points, two rebounds, one block) was instrumental in this adjustment.

“He was really key for us because he’s one of the bigs that was willing to get out there and guard their guards. You know when they (FEU) set high pick-and-rolls, it’s very difficult for our guards to get over the screens so our bigs really need to get in and delay their (FEU’s) guards,” Black said.

FEU coach Bert Flores offered no excuses for this loss, the Tams’ fifth straight at the hands of AdMU dating back to last year’s finals.

“We’re really beaten. Ateneo played a perfect game, their execution was excellent,” said Flores after the blowout that somehow brought bitter memories of their 20-point setback in last year’s opener.

“At the same time, we didn’t defend as aggressively, and we didn’t move the ball well in the second and third (quarters),” Flores added.

Terrence Romeo shot 23 for FEU, whose bid was hurt by the meager six markers of RR Garcia.