Looking at the Ateneo-UST game

Looking at the Ateneo-UST game

by rick olivares

For me, the Ateneo-UST game was like Godzilla vs King Ghidorah; two basketball “monsters” waging an intense, punch-counter punch game. It was like a throwback to the battles between the Blue Eagles and the Growling Tigers from 2011-12. Ateneo was at the tail-end of a glorious five-peat run and UST fielded an overpowering five with some very good bench players that challenged the former's dominance.

This season is the first we are seeing where every single school now has a squad that is backed by a program and money. The competition is tough and intense and true enough, the Ateneo-UST game will crowd the Adamson-NU match as one of this young season’s best games.

Ateneo got off to a good start as they raced to a 10-point lead. UST came roaring back and at one point blitzed the Blue Eagles with a ton of points to take the half and the third period. Ateneo seized the fourth period with great defense and timely offense. But they didn’t help their cause by missing three crucial free throws that would have made the game less exciting towards the end. 

The Blue Eagles squeaked past UST, 71-70, to remain unscathed. Ateneo knows there is much work to be done, while UST will know they are very close to getting past the defending champions. It is a game that boldly announces that the Growling Tigers are for real and is you aren’t ready, they will put the hurt on you.

What I liked about Ateneo in this game:

Thirdy Ravena bounced back from a miserable outing against La Salle with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. He was there in the fourth period during winning time along with Angelo Kouame and Gian Mamuyac.

And speaking of Mamuyac, Gian is going to be a prime time player. Aside from Kouame, Mamuyac is the only Blue Eagle to play the entire fourth quarter netting two points, two assists, and a rebound (he did miss to very late free throws that would have iced the game) in that final canto. Not everything that he did showed up on the stat board but he did make an impact. But I like his ability to create his own shot, to get to the rim, and to play great defense.

In the midst of another grind it out game, Ateneo got it done through its defense late in the game. The clutch gene that they developed over the past three years saw them hold off UST in the fourth period.

The Blue Eagles were 7/22 from the field while UST was 5/17. They outrebounded UST, 17-10, and as a result, scored 10-0 in fastbreak points, and 4-2 in second chance points. They also had two blocks and one steal to the Growling Tigers’ one steal in the final frame. However, they also missed three of four free throws late in the game that could have put the game away a bit earlier.

Ateneo did a good job on limiting Rhenz Abando and Mark Nonoy, but they couldn’t hold off Soulemane Chabi Yo until late in the game. But that is when Abando and Subido began to hit some shots. And that was a huge block by Kouame on Chabi Yo very late in the game. 

What I am concerned about with Ateneo:

Once more, the Blue Eagles showed a predilection for the outside shot. In my opinion, not everything is what the defense gives them. During one stretch in the fourth quarter, they attempted a trey in four straight possessions (they missed each time). 

While Ateneo had more inside points than UST, 34-28, I think they can attack the interior a bit more.

Sometimes, on an offensive rebound, they pass the ball out for the reset instead of going back in. If there is no opportunity to score, I can understand throwing the ball out. But sometimes, in my opinion, you should go inside because that is when the defense is most vulnerable because it isn’t set.

I have constantly harped about the inside game. Outside Thirdy and Angelo, there isn’t really another who is good at posting up. Yes, the Nieto brothers can. But it cannot be all posting up. I think it’s a mentality to attack inside. To pound it inside. 

Aside from being the hunted, Ateneo remains the gold standard. They may have struggled offensively, but they have stuck to that age-old team adage of “DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.” So, I can live with that. 

They are 3-0 and people still haven’t seen their best. I can only imagine what it will be like when they start firing on all cylinders.

What I like about UST:

Despite the loss, the game only confirmed that UST isn’t only a Final Four threat but a dark horse contender to the title. 

And how about that audacity to thrice dunk on the defending champions? Watch out, Ateneo, there is someone tugging at your cape at its Aldin Ayo and the talented and exciting UST Growling Tigers.

The UST faithful can hope that this team is more than the second coming of those very good teams from 2011-14 except this time, they can bring back a title to España.

Karim Abdul – Soulemane Chabi Yo

Rhenz Abando – Kevin Ferrer

Renzo Subido - Jeric Fortuna 

Mark Nonoy – Ed Daquioag

CJ Cansino – Jeric Teng

Brent Paraiso – Aljon Mariano

Zach Huang – Paolo Pe

It is only the second year of Ayo in UST, but I will go on record to say that he is doing his best work. This time, he didn’t inherit anyone’s team. He put this one together in his image and likeness. And here’s the thing… we aren’t seeing the rough and dirty stuff we have seen from Ayo’s team in years past. It is just basketball. 

They are unflappable. Only Paraiso and Subido show a lot of emotion. Abando, Nonoy, Cansino, and Chabi Yo are all stoic. And I like that. They try not to lose focus and just play the game.