Ateneo beats UE to warm up for 2nd round meeting with La Salle

Back-to-back title seeking Ateneo de Manila University outlasted University of the East, 80-75, to extend its winning run to four and regain the solo leadership in the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament on Thursday at the Big Dome.

With Rabeh Al-Hussaini leading Ateneo’s offensive thrust, the Blue Eagles were able to post a double figure lead, which the Katipunan-based squad utilized to cushion the impact of the Red Warriors blistering end-game run.

“We had a very sloppy fourth quarter," said Ateneo mentor Norman Black. “Its not a great win but its number seven."

The Eagles, which scored a 72-57 thrashing of UE last July 26, was looking at again dominating the Red Warriors but the Recto-based squad rallied in the fourth and almost completed a come-from-behind win.

Scores:
Ateneo 80 - Al-Hussaini 30, Salva 12, Reyes 11, Salamat 6, Long 5, Buenafe 5, Baclao 4, Monfort 4, Monfort 3, Sumalindog 2, Asutria 2, Golla 0, Chua 0.
UE 75 - Lee 30, Espiritu 20, Zamar 10, Lingganay 9, Acuna 9, Duran 3, Tagarda 2, Reyes 2, Sumido 0, Bandaying 0, Ayala 0, Alabanza 0, Acibar 0.
Quarter scores: 19-21; 48-30; 58-43; 80-75.

Ateneo posted a 50-30 advantage in the third period and was ahead, 58-43, at the start of the final quarter until the Red Warriors, which missed the services of slotman Narciso Llagas after being slapped a one-game suspension after figuring in a near end-game scuffle in their last game, threatened in the final seconds of the fourth.

But with time winding down and Al-Hussaini drilling nine of his career-high 30 points in the payoff period, the Eagles survived UE’s furious rally to absorb their fourth defeat tying La Salle, which bowed to Adamson earlier, with similar 4-4 cards.

“Mas maganda talaga ang first half namin (We played much better in the first half)," said Black in Filipino. “But with the season entering the second round, it is about winning."

With that in mind, Black is also gearing for their rematch with arch-rival La Salle on Sunday and revealed that he is feeling the pressure of meeting with the Archers in a very short interval. “It is difficult for us to play De La Salle on Sunday after meeting them just a Sunday ago."

Black said that La Salle would be more dangerous coming from a defeat. “With their defeat (Thursday), I believe La Salle would be going all out against us to arrest their losing skid."

Al-Husaini also contributed immensely in the rebounding department grabbing 12 boards to finish with his second double-double.

The Eagles had 25 turnovers against the 14 committed by the Warriors but Ateneo more than made up with those errors by grabbing 56 rebounds compared to UE’s 34.

Ateneo’s 17 assists was also better than UE’s 10.