Tides
Ateneo 76 vs. La Salle 72
words by rick olivares pic by nonoy lacza
Ateneo 76 vs. La Salle 72
words by rick olivares pic by nonoy lacza
The jump
Sometimes, in order to get going, one needs a firm push. On few occasions, you get a kick. A kick, not on your bum; incredulously, but on the side that it’s akin to pouring gasoline to an already intense game.
The De La Salle Green Archers had the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles on the ropes. On the ropes, but not out. They were poised to deal the Ateneans a stinging loss that would have seen them tumble all the way from their lofty perch to third in the standings. Propelled by a four game win skein, they attacked an Ateneo team that initially did not seem to respect them. And their new look offense was giving Ateneo fits.
There was Rabeh Al-Hussaini getting blocked by Yutien Andrada twice that so rattled the reigning Most Valuable Player that he momentarily turned gun shy. The lanky Green Archer even blocked an Eric Salamat drive when it seemed that the Ateneo guard had an easy lay-up.
Arvie Bringas showed why he could be the next dominant big man in the game with a dazzling array of shots and moves.
And there was Joshua Webb who was playing the best game of his college career until he thought that he’d tryout for La Salle’s taekwondo team.
Before Ateneo knew it, they were in trouble and they needed all hands on deck to turn back the hard-charging Green Archers.
It was theorized that DLSU center Ferdinand could help contain Al-Hussaini because he had given him fits before. But it was quite the opposite. The Ateneo center abused the La Salle slotman for 10 points in the opening quarter and the Indonesian would not be heard from again.
But Bringas brought his own brand of pain. He took Al-Hussaini out to the perimeter where he drilled a dead-eye three to give La Salle a 10-8 lead that they would not give up until… well, more on that later.
Webb in the meantime was highly active seemingly scoring at will as he scored 17 first half points. The bench came in and kept the game close with Justin Chua, Nico Salva, Emman Monfort, and Oping Sumalinog chipping in some points.
After Sumalinog fired a three-ball from the deep left over Webb to bring DLSU’s lead down to three 35-32, the Green Archers responded with five free throws to pad the lead to eight at the cessation of first half hostilities.
It was an upset Norman Black who entered the dugout at halftime with DLSU up 40-32. Although they were within striking distance, their emerald foes were quicker to the ball, in getting the loose balls, and were playing with more fire.
If anything, the game served frightening notice that La Salle will become a better team and will contend for years to come.
In six previous games, Ateneo got off to a poor start four times. Black was worried that not many teams will give Ateneo a chance to get back in the game and La Salle was certainly one of them. The American mentor challenged the team to show up or let the game slip away.
Of ankles and feet
As the second half got underway, Ateneo turned over the ball in their very first possession. Bringas followed with a 18-foot jumper to bring the lead up to double digits for the first time.
The Blue Eagles’ defense then smothered the Green Archers and took care of business on the offensive end a 10-2 blast to end the third quarter with a four-point deficit 50-46.
Up to that point, Ateneo had made only three triples. The lack of a consistent gunner hurt Ateneo’s bigs – Al-Hussaini in particular – as they were swarmed by double or triple teams.
After a La Salle miss, Jai Reyes brought the ball down and with the defense not keying on him, fired a trey from the right side of the arc. On the next offensive set, Reyes, now feeling it, hit another as the Ateneo cheers got louder.
Enter Bacon Austria who up to that point had been having a so-so campaign. The son of former pro player and current Adamson benchmaster Leo Austria, Bacon is the type of player who is selfless and does a little of everything – rebounding, defense, passing, and against teams that don’t press very well, bringing down the ball. And on occasion, score a basket or two.
On the defensive end, he fished for DLSU captain Hyram Bagatsing’s fourth foul and promptly tied the game with two free throws at 54-all; only the fourth time the two teams were tied.
After Webb tried to restore the lead for his side and found himself utterly rejected by Nonoy Baclao, Ateneo got the stop it wanted albeit at a price.
While battling for a rebound, Al-Hussaini, fell awkwardly and sprained an ankle. As he was helped off the floor, the La Salle gallery boorishly showered him with faux applause and jeers.
The Green Archers thought that Ateneo was ripe for the pickings without their only low post threat. And Webb seemed to confirm that when he hit a three-pointer with 4:44 left.
But say this about the Blue Eagles, they seem to play better defense with Al-Hussaini off the floor. For the most part, they've played zone and man-to-man. Rarely do they double as they are confident they can put the clamps on their man. But this year, Al-Hussaini seems to be complaining more about the calls he is not getting and thus distracts him from his game. When the bench is on the floor, they dive and fight for every ball. No quarter is given.
Sometimes, in order to get going, one needs a firm push. On few occasions, you get a kick. A kick, not on your bum; incredulously, but on the side that it’s akin to pouring gasoline to an already intense game.
The De La Salle Green Archers had the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles on the ropes. On the ropes, but not out. They were poised to deal the Ateneans a stinging loss that would have seen them tumble all the way from their lofty perch to third in the standings. Propelled by a four game win skein, they attacked an Ateneo team that initially did not seem to respect them. And their new look offense was giving Ateneo fits.
There was Rabeh Al-Hussaini getting blocked by Yutien Andrada twice that so rattled the reigning Most Valuable Player that he momentarily turned gun shy. The lanky Green Archer even blocked an Eric Salamat drive when it seemed that the Ateneo guard had an easy lay-up.
Arvie Bringas showed why he could be the next dominant big man in the game with a dazzling array of shots and moves.
And there was Joshua Webb who was playing the best game of his college career until he thought that he’d tryout for La Salle’s taekwondo team.
Before Ateneo knew it, they were in trouble and they needed all hands on deck to turn back the hard-charging Green Archers.
It was theorized that DLSU center Ferdinand could help contain Al-Hussaini because he had given him fits before. But it was quite the opposite. The Ateneo center abused the La Salle slotman for 10 points in the opening quarter and the Indonesian would not be heard from again.
But Bringas brought his own brand of pain. He took Al-Hussaini out to the perimeter where he drilled a dead-eye three to give La Salle a 10-8 lead that they would not give up until… well, more on that later.
Webb in the meantime was highly active seemingly scoring at will as he scored 17 first half points. The bench came in and kept the game close with Justin Chua, Nico Salva, Emman Monfort, and Oping Sumalinog chipping in some points.
After Sumalinog fired a three-ball from the deep left over Webb to bring DLSU’s lead down to three 35-32, the Green Archers responded with five free throws to pad the lead to eight at the cessation of first half hostilities.
It was an upset Norman Black who entered the dugout at halftime with DLSU up 40-32. Although they were within striking distance, their emerald foes were quicker to the ball, in getting the loose balls, and were playing with more fire.
If anything, the game served frightening notice that La Salle will become a better team and will contend for years to come.
In six previous games, Ateneo got off to a poor start four times. Black was worried that not many teams will give Ateneo a chance to get back in the game and La Salle was certainly one of them. The American mentor challenged the team to show up or let the game slip away.
Of ankles and feet
As the second half got underway, Ateneo turned over the ball in their very first possession. Bringas followed with a 18-foot jumper to bring the lead up to double digits for the first time.
The Blue Eagles’ defense then smothered the Green Archers and took care of business on the offensive end a 10-2 blast to end the third quarter with a four-point deficit 50-46.
Up to that point, Ateneo had made only three triples. The lack of a consistent gunner hurt Ateneo’s bigs – Al-Hussaini in particular – as they were swarmed by double or triple teams.
After a La Salle miss, Jai Reyes brought the ball down and with the defense not keying on him, fired a trey from the right side of the arc. On the next offensive set, Reyes, now feeling it, hit another as the Ateneo cheers got louder.
Enter Bacon Austria who up to that point had been having a so-so campaign. The son of former pro player and current Adamson benchmaster Leo Austria, Bacon is the type of player who is selfless and does a little of everything – rebounding, defense, passing, and against teams that don’t press very well, bringing down the ball. And on occasion, score a basket or two.
On the defensive end, he fished for DLSU captain Hyram Bagatsing’s fourth foul and promptly tied the game with two free throws at 54-all; only the fourth time the two teams were tied.
After Webb tried to restore the lead for his side and found himself utterly rejected by Nonoy Baclao, Ateneo got the stop it wanted albeit at a price.
While battling for a rebound, Al-Hussaini, fell awkwardly and sprained an ankle. As he was helped off the floor, the La Salle gallery boorishly showered him with faux applause and jeers.
The Green Archers thought that Ateneo was ripe for the pickings without their only low post threat. And Webb seemed to confirm that when he hit a three-pointer with 4:44 left.
But say this about the Blue Eagles, they seem to play better defense with Al-Hussaini off the floor. For the most part, they've played zone and man-to-man. Rarely do they double as they are confident they can put the clamps on their man. But this year, Al-Hussaini seems to be complaining more about the calls he is not getting and thus distracts him from his game. When the bench is on the floor, they dive and fight for every ball. No quarter is given.
On the offensive end, the Ateneo center likes to take a lot of jumpers from the 15-foot line and beyond that it takes him out of play for the defensive board which in some way explains why Ateneo has not been getting its share of second chance points. However, when his shots are falling that is altogether another matter. He should go back to attacking his man inside and maybe go to the fifteen foot line. Right now, there aren't many who can guard him one-on-one. If he puts his mind to just playing the game the way he did last year then there is no reason why he cannot dominate.
In last year’s finals encounter between the two schools, DLSU Coach Franz Pumaren wondered aloud in the media room if Ateneo was truly that good defensively. And after getting ambushed for three quarters, it was time for the Blue Eagles to put their imprint on the game and show their arch-rivals their defensive prowess. But first, Webb got his shoeprints all over Austria’s side.
With La Salle up by one, 57-56, Webb took another three-point attempt but the ball slipped out of his hands. Austria, who had challenged the attempt, banged bodies with Webb and both fell to the floor as they tried to collar the loose ball. That’s when Webb kicked at Austria; an act that nearly ignited a melee that was mercifully stopped before it could get any worse.
La Salle’s Simon Atkins and Austria were called for fouls, but Webb was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul, a call that resulted in two free throws and ball possession to Ateneo.
Austria could only split his free throws but on the next possession, Eric Salamat buried a triple to make it 60-57 in favor of the blue and white with 3:33 left to play.
It was a lead that the Blue Eagles would not surrender the lead in spite of a pair of incredible three point shots from Bringas and Bagatsing who sent the match into overtime with the score notched at 67-all.
Making a (defensive) stand
Ateneo had given La Salle a sliver of hope to snatch the game. Had Eric Salamat not split his charities earlier, the game would have not gone into extra minutes. But he was not alone with lapses. With DLSU needing a three-pointer, Salva was a second to late in challenging a Bringas who had shown of late, an ability to hit from way outside.
Although Austria had played great defense on Bagatsing for 16.4 seconds, the veteran Archer was able to get off double-pump shot to send the match into overtime at 67-all.
Another miscue, this time a poor inbound by Salamat underneath the La Salle basket gave the Archers an opportunity to steal the game with 0.8 of second left. Fortunately for Ateneo they failed to convert.
The Blue Eagles were on the ropes and now they had gotten their second wind. And hurting and all, they were ready to take charge of the match.
After Baclao won the tip at the start of the five-minute extension period, Buenafe drove right through the heart of the La Salle defense. Once he drew three players dished off to the Ateneo captain who was left open for a jumper from the right side.
Salva, who was in the midst of a miserable game (getting blocked and committing an assortment of turnovers) took a charge from Bringas underneath the DLSU basket that negated a lay-up.
Even as Ateneo was misfired on consecutive offensive thrusts, they had prevented the Green Archers from putting points on the board. Buenafe forced Peejay Barua into a turnover and on DLSU’s next possession, the referees whistled them for a shot clock violation.
Another Eric Salamat free throw and a tip in by Baclao gave Ateneo a priceless five-point lead that eventually cushioned a triple by Bader Malabes.
Salva closed out his renaissance during crunch time with a bigtime jumper that closed out the scoring at 76-72.
It was by no means a “nice game” because when the two meet, it’s a game of tides that ebb and flow. There is nothing pretty about them save for the “W” at the end that Ateneo got. The four-time UAAP Men’s Basketball champs showed their mettle in the face of extreme adversity and it was a hard-earned win that kept them atop the leader board at the end of the first round.
As Norman Black made his way to the interview room after the match, he had already conditioned himself to possibly missing Al-Hussaini for a game (post-game findings revealed that he won’t) maybe more. “We don’t know yet the severity of the injury,” he said looking somewhat drained and with a million things inside his head. “But we have to dig in.”
Unfortunately, it’s still high tide as they were set to face the UE Red Warriors in four days’ time. “That soon?” pleaded the Ateneo coach when informed of the upcoming match. “We just played an emotional game against La Salle and now we’re going up against UE that is always a tough match. It never does get easy, does it?”
It never does more so when you’re trying to do it all over again.
Ateneo 76 – Salamat 13, Al-Hussaini 13, Salva 10, Reyes 8, Baclao 7, Austria 7, Long 5, Buenafe 5, Sumalinog 3, Monfort 3, Chua 2
La Salle 72 – Webb 26, Bringas 10, Mendoza 8, Bagatsing 7, Malabes 6, Co 4, Marata 3, Tolentino 2, Ferdinand 2, Barua 2, Andrada 2, Villanueva 0, Mangahas 0, Atkins 0
In last year’s finals encounter between the two schools, DLSU Coach Franz Pumaren wondered aloud in the media room if Ateneo was truly that good defensively. And after getting ambushed for three quarters, it was time for the Blue Eagles to put their imprint on the game and show their arch-rivals their defensive prowess. But first, Webb got his shoeprints all over Austria’s side.
With La Salle up by one, 57-56, Webb took another three-point attempt but the ball slipped out of his hands. Austria, who had challenged the attempt, banged bodies with Webb and both fell to the floor as they tried to collar the loose ball. That’s when Webb kicked at Austria; an act that nearly ignited a melee that was mercifully stopped before it could get any worse.
La Salle’s Simon Atkins and Austria were called for fouls, but Webb was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul, a call that resulted in two free throws and ball possession to Ateneo.
Austria could only split his free throws but on the next possession, Eric Salamat buried a triple to make it 60-57 in favor of the blue and white with 3:33 left to play.
It was a lead that the Blue Eagles would not surrender the lead in spite of a pair of incredible three point shots from Bringas and Bagatsing who sent the match into overtime with the score notched at 67-all.
Making a (defensive) stand
Ateneo had given La Salle a sliver of hope to snatch the game. Had Eric Salamat not split his charities earlier, the game would have not gone into extra minutes. But he was not alone with lapses. With DLSU needing a three-pointer, Salva was a second to late in challenging a Bringas who had shown of late, an ability to hit from way outside.
Although Austria had played great defense on Bagatsing for 16.4 seconds, the veteran Archer was able to get off double-pump shot to send the match into overtime at 67-all.
Another miscue, this time a poor inbound by Salamat underneath the La Salle basket gave the Archers an opportunity to steal the game with 0.8 of second left. Fortunately for Ateneo they failed to convert.
The Blue Eagles were on the ropes and now they had gotten their second wind. And hurting and all, they were ready to take charge of the match.
After Baclao won the tip at the start of the five-minute extension period, Buenafe drove right through the heart of the La Salle defense. Once he drew three players dished off to the Ateneo captain who was left open for a jumper from the right side.
Salva, who was in the midst of a miserable game (getting blocked and committing an assortment of turnovers) took a charge from Bringas underneath the DLSU basket that negated a lay-up.
Even as Ateneo was misfired on consecutive offensive thrusts, they had prevented the Green Archers from putting points on the board. Buenafe forced Peejay Barua into a turnover and on DLSU’s next possession, the referees whistled them for a shot clock violation.
Another Eric Salamat free throw and a tip in by Baclao gave Ateneo a priceless five-point lead that eventually cushioned a triple by Bader Malabes.
Salva closed out his renaissance during crunch time with a bigtime jumper that closed out the scoring at 76-72.
It was by no means a “nice game” because when the two meet, it’s a game of tides that ebb and flow. There is nothing pretty about them save for the “W” at the end that Ateneo got. The four-time UAAP Men’s Basketball champs showed their mettle in the face of extreme adversity and it was a hard-earned win that kept them atop the leader board at the end of the first round.
As Norman Black made his way to the interview room after the match, he had already conditioned himself to possibly missing Al-Hussaini for a game (post-game findings revealed that he won’t) maybe more. “We don’t know yet the severity of the injury,” he said looking somewhat drained and with a million things inside his head. “But we have to dig in.”
Unfortunately, it’s still high tide as they were set to face the UE Red Warriors in four days’ time. “That soon?” pleaded the Ateneo coach when informed of the upcoming match. “We just played an emotional game against La Salle and now we’re going up against UE that is always a tough match. It never does get easy, does it?”
It never does more so when you’re trying to do it all over again.
Ateneo 76 – Salamat 13, Al-Hussaini 13, Salva 10, Reyes 8, Baclao 7, Austria 7, Long 5, Buenafe 5, Sumalinog 3, Monfort 3, Chua 2
La Salle 72 – Webb 26, Bringas 10, Mendoza 8, Bagatsing 7, Malabes 6, Co 4, Marata 3, Tolentino 2, Ferdinand 2, Barua 2, Andrada 2, Villanueva 0, Mangahas 0, Atkins 0
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