"They're still the defending champs until someone takes it away from them."

Happy Birthday, Jace.

Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles 77 vs. Arellano University 76

The Ateneo-Arellano University game reminded me of an NBA game dated March 21, 1999.

On that date, the defending champions Chicago Bulls played the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center. The Bulls had Toni Kukoc, Brent Barry, Dickey Simpkins, Ron Harper, and Randy Brown on the floor in the final seconds of play while the Celtics had Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce, Ron Mercer, Tony Battie, and Kenny Anderson. The game had gone into overtime. With time running out and the score tied at 92-all, Toni Kukoc was unable to wiggle free for a shot and he passed the ball to Randy Brown who hit a trey at the buzzer to win the game 95-92. As the Bulls celebrated their 8th win in 25 games, Boston forward-center Andrew DeClerq exclaimed, "They're still the defending champs until someone takes it away from them."

It has been only two games thus far -- both wins and the latest one won with the help coming from an unlikely source -- and that isn't enough to make any long term prediction on the Ateneo Blue Eagles. However, two things are clear -- the team is not in shape and the middle is an express lane for foes. And opponents know that. They kept driving in beating the porous perimeter defense and taking it inside. Time was even if you had Nonoy Baclao chasing his man outside there was still Rabeh Al-Hussaini inside to contend with. If the spirit moved the big man, he would make you eat the leather.

The Blue Eagles double-teamed on the outside to prevent the dribble penetrations -- something they have not done in years as they played straight up man to man. What happened was Jason Escueta rushing out thrice to challenge an open outside shot.

And rebounding. Time was the Blue Eagles were an extra possession team with Zion Laterre and Nonoy Baclao picking up those offensive boards. Instead we have Escueta doing his impression of Ford Arao's face up jumper, bump and post you up and tippy-toe rebounding. Now if he can run the break like Arao did. But make no mistake, I am not saying that is such a bad thing. On the contrary...

If Escueta is a throwback then you'd be glad to know that Emman Monfort is in the house. In a team increasingly suspect with its outside shooting, Monfort, the collegiate version of a bantamweight Mighty Mouse (the Chiefs' Leonard Anquilo is the Atom), hit five treys with three coming in the first quarter as it seemed that it was Monfort vs Arellano. And to think he was cut in Season 71!

And Monfort this time around was huge in the end with a trey although the Chiefs' Andrian Celada replied with a cold-blooded trey of his own.

Speaking of Mr. Extra Possession, Bacon Austria channeled Laterre/Baclao with a huge offensive rebound for a putback. He scored six points -- two free throws, a stretch lay-up, and his put back.

Nico Salva was consistent on both ends. And Eric Salamat still battling a nagging injury disrupted Arellano's offense with his quick hands.

But the night belonged to Escueta. What a way to cap his birthday than by making two huge free throws to win the game. For years, the Blue Eagles were once more the Hail Mary Squad as they made a habit out of winning close ones with tons of game winners. Last season, perhaps even better than the year before, they steamrolled over foes. Now's there's a doughnut hole in the middle. And they had to come back to win this as a tough Arellano squad recovered from three straight Monfort long toms in the first canto to nearly pull the rug from the heavily-favored Loyola Heights team time down to four minutes left.

More than ever, they played as a team. And if they harbor any aspirations for a third straight title, then it's going to take all hands on deck. But they will not win if the bigs do not step up.

Other teams are looking mighty impressive -- the Adamson Falcons are hanging with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws while the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons look to be a contender. But perhaps save for Season 71 where Ateneo was a heavy favorite to win the title, many look to them to be a middle of the pack team that by virtue of making the Final Four will be a huge accomplishment. Unfortunately, that's not true. They are the two-time defending champs and they've got a lot of pride. To paraphrase DeClerq who put summed it up right more than a decade ago, the Blue Eagles may not strike as much fear in the hearts of foes who are eager to knock Ateneo off its lofty perch, but they are still the champs until someone takes it away from them.

Ateneo 77 - Monfort 17, Salva 16, Escueta 13, Salamat 12, Austria 6, Tiongson 4, Gonzaga 3, Buenafe 2, Long 2, Burke 2, Chua 0, Erram 0, Golla 0, de la Cruz 0

Arellano 76 - Celada 17, Ciriacruz 17, Palma 8, Acidre 7, Zulueta 7, Virtuadazo 7, del Rosario 3, Anquilo 3, Lapus 3, Avellana 3, Tayontong 1