Round Three
Since 2006, the road to the championship has gone through Ateneo. This year, the Adamson Falcons would love nothing that to overtake Ateneo and crash the Finals party. Do they have what it takes? By Rick Olivares
An Ateneo-Adamson game is like the season ender of a television series – filled with cliffhangers and heart-stopping moments with such intense drama.
And to underscore how evenly-matched the two squads are, let’s take a look at the tale of the tape for the season.
ADMU AdU
71.1 points for 66.6
62.9 points allowed 63.8
44.6 rebounds 38.4
16.8 assists 12.1
6.1 steals 7.6
3.6 blocks 3.9
31.1 bench scoring 32.7
15.2 turnovers 15.1
12.1 fastbreak points 10.6
7.4 2nd chance points 10.1
14.6 turnover points 19.0
Kinda close, right? In their two elimination round matches that were won by Ateneo 69-66 and 55-52. Both games were low scoring and marked by one run after another with the three-point shot and free throws serving as a huge weapon.
And curiously, both games came to two players on both sides. For Ateneo it’s Emman Monfort and Kirk Long while for Adamson it’s Lester Alvarez and Alex Nuyles.
In the first round meeting, Long stripped Austin Manyara in the dying minutes of the game while Monfort made six free throws down the stretch to give the blue and whites the win. Nuyles and Alvarez combined for 35 points.
In round two, Long got two huge offensive fouls called on Mike Galinato and Nuyles while Monfort nailed a huge triple and a pair of free throws to close out the scoring. Once more the Falcons duo totalled 36 points.
In Ateneo’s loses this season, the final score was preceded by a three-pointer by the opponent. Ironically, despite the gaping hole in the middle, it has been the perimeter defense that has been spotty at the worst possible times. Ryan Garcia, Tata Marata, and James Martinez know that all too well as does Tata Bautista.
The Falcons throw up an average of 24.5 three-pointers at Ateneo while making only 7.5 of them. Although the Falcons are the fifth in the rankings when in comes to three-point accuracy, it’s when it finds the bottom of the net that matters. Had Galinato used his arms to impede Long from challenging Alvarez, the Falcons would have hit a huge trifecta right there.
The Blue Eagles rebound the ball well against Adamson and are number two behind surprise leader La Salle. Adamson is dead last in that category. But they’ve not parlayed the rebounding edge (especially on the offensive end) well in terms of second chance points.
As befitting their being tops in assists, Ateneo does slightly well in hitting the open man for a basket.
On the other side of the court, Adamson does it with defense as they have done better in steals and blocks against Ateneo.
Perhaps no other stat is more examined than the Falcons’ 27-game losing streak. Everyone knows it is going to end one day but Ateneo would like to extend it a little longer.
The Falcons have chafed at this dubious record. They also feel that some calls went against them in the last two meetings and just as Ateneo has been aching to get back at FEU, the Falcons know that in order to validate their ascent to the upper echelon of the UAAP, they have to beat their long-time tormentors.
The two teams are looking at all sorts of motivations to barge into the finals.
For Ateneo, it’s a chance to achieve a three-peat that has been denied them on four previous occasions (three in the NCAA and one in the UAAP). This year is seen as a bridge to the next couple of years when the blue and white will assemble a very strong team.
And this season, in spite of the second place finish in the eliminations, the Blue Eagles do not have anyone placing in the Mythical Five selection for the first time since 1999. That’s an incredible 11-year streak that is every bit as impressive as their 12-consecutive runs to the Final Four.
Team captain Eric Salamat came in at seventh in the overall statistical points standings. The next two Blue Eagles – Ryan Buenafe and Nico Salva -- were tied at 14th place. Not that individual accolades matter to teams. It’s the championship that’s the ultimate prize.
The Falcons likewise do not have anyone in the Mythical selection. That however, was never their goal. It’s incidental or a bonus as Austria says. The goal is the Final Four and beyond. They don’t really care who is in their way.
Since 2006, the two teams have played to a virtual standstill with the final outcome decided by a bucket or two and usually in the final play.
In this Final Four match-up, the team that gets a good run in the final five minutes will win this. Once more it’s going to come down to defense, a three-pointer, and some free throws.
The road to a title starts here.
No comments:
Post a Comment