Inside the hot and humid St. Placid Gym at San Beda College, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, in their first bit of action since returning from training in the United States last Friday, turned back the Adamson Falcons 61-54 in the Fr. Martin Cup.
Leo Austria's boys started out on fire as they grabbed a 12-3 lead in the 1st Quarter but the Blue Eagles tightened up on defense and battled back behind their second unit that was led by Ryan Buenafe. As they clamped down inside the paint, Ateneo took 24-23 lead at the half in a low scoring affair. Emman Monfort played great defense as he singlehandedly stopped four Adamson fastbreaks either by ripping the ball away from Alex Nuyles or blocking a Falcon shot from behind.
Come the 3rd Quarter, Jason Escueta pounded the ball inside and got Adamson's Austin Manyara in foul trouble. With the Kenyan center out, Ateneo threatened to blow the game wide open as they raced to an 8 point lead 36-28 time down to 5:14 in the 3rd. But the Falcons weren't done yet.
The Falcons came roaring back behind Eric Camson who hit a jumper to give Adamson back the lead 51-49. Scarcely had the cheers in the throats of Adamson supporters died down when Eric Salamat drove the lane and fished a foul from Camson for an and-one. 52-51 Ateneo.
The Falcons missed three free throws down the stretch and a lazy pass by Jerick Cañada was picked off by Frank Golla that pretty much ended the Adamson threat. The Blue Eagles won a tough tough game against the Falcons 61-54.
Adamson's Fr. Martin line-up is without Jan Colina, Janus Lozada, Mike Galinato, and Lester Alvarez while the Blue Eagles have fielded the same line up for both Fil Oil and the tournament named after the late Jesuit priest who played a large role in the development of basketball locally. The two teams will play again tomorrow at the San Juan Arena in the knockout FilOil Quarterfinals.
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