Looking at Ateneo’s 2nd round win over Adamson

Looking at Ateneo’s 2^nd round win over Adamson

by rick olivares

Much was made about this game as the unbelievers said that the first time the two teams met, Adamson’s Papi Sarr was unavailable. If these “analysts” were watching, Adamson hasn’t even beaten Ateneo in the pre-season the past two years with this line-up of theirs (much more in the UAAP) so I have no idea where they get these ideas.

Nevertheless, it is – was – a big game. And it took about four minutes before Ateneo found the target and its rhythm. While the Blue Eagles were missing wide open shots (and not because of the D mind you), they played good D. And they continued that until the final 1:47. The match ended in a 71-59 win for Ateneo to go to 8-0.

It was obvious that Adamson wanted to pound Ateneo inside; hence, feeding the ball to Papi Sarr from the get-go – to attack Chibueze Ikeh. I recall a game back when Franz Pumaren was still coaching La Salle and he seemed to not think much of then-center Ford Arao. They went right at Arao for the game but Arao, who was in his last year for the Blue Eagles, more than held his own that game.

Ikeh managed Sarr all right

Ikeh of course, has been rock solid all season long and he more than held his ground. If you ask me, he outplayed Sarr despite the latter putting up better stats.

Sarr: 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 turnovers

Ikeh: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and 2 turnovers

Okay, you might be wondering how Ikeh outplayed him. Simple, when they went at each other during the game, Sarr didn’t do much.

In the first 6:54 of the first quarter where both went at one another, both were scoreless and each one fished a foul from the other.

Here’s the difference:

1st Quarter – Ateneo 16 Adamson 10

Ikeh: 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 turnover

Sarr: 1 rebound and 2 turnovers

More than that, Ikeh prevented a couple of entry passes to his Adamson counterpart. 

2^nd Quarter: Ateneo 31 Adamson 24

This is where Sarr did better.

Sarr: 5 points (three on Ikeh as the only bucket was when the Ateneo center was off the floor), 3 rebounds, and 2 turnovers (plus he fished another foul from Ikeh – questionable though)

Ikeh: 0 stat line

3^rd quarter: Ateneo 54 Adamson 41

When Ateneo made their big run in the third canto, Ikeh once more was solid.

Ikeh: 5 points including one trey in front of Sarr plus 1 rebound

Sarr: 4 points, 2 rebounds, plus another foul from Ikeh

4^th Quarter: Ateneo 71 Adamson 59

Ikeh: 2 points, 3 rebounds, plus the monster block on Sarr

Sarr: 6 points (including a three-point play against Ikeh although Sarr missed the free throw – he only scored 2 points on Ikeh), 3 rebounds, 1 turnover

If you look at the efficiency ratings, Ikeh was a plus-six while Sarr was a minus-17.

The defense was impressive for about 38 minutes.

The Blue Eagles did a great job of defending the Soaring Falcons’ guards.

Jerie Pingoy – 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 0 turnovers

Terence Mustre – 5 points (4 points during garbage time), 1 steal, and 1 TO

Rob Manalang – 1 point, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers

Jerie and well, Sarr were the two best performers for Adamson.

In contrast, Ateneo’s point guards performed better:

Matt Nieto: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 TO

Tyler Tio: 3 points, 1 assist, 1 TO

Jolo Mendoza: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Gian Mamuyac: 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 TOs

And Tyrus Hill and Sean Manganti were held quiet all match long.

Manganti before the Ateneo game: 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds

Hill before the Ateneo game: 4.7 points, 2.3 rebounds

Against Ateneo in the second round:

Manganti: 4 points and 5 boards

Hill: 6 points (3 points in the last 1:47 minutes of garbage time) and 4 rebounds

I was surprised that Adamson didn’t allow their wingmen to attack. The ball more oft than not was being dumped inside. But you have to also credit Ateneo’s defense on Manganti and Hill who never had a chance to get going.

The defense was darn good except in the last three minutes when Tab Baldwin emptied the bench.

Points of TOs

Ateneo 20

Adamson 7 (what all in the last 1:47 minutes)

Gotta admire the team play. The prettiest in the UAAP. And that has me thinking of – what if Ateneo and Lyceum played each other now?

One bit of concern. The last 1:47 weren’t pretty at all. Am referring to when the third stringers went in. They only got off one attempt and turned the ball over twice while Adamson had seven attempts from the field plus two free throws.

Maybe that unit should be made to pay together rather cobble them in the last minute because they looked befuddled out there – picking up the dribble when they shouldn’t. Making really bad passes and not looking any comfortable.

But other than that, massive win to start the second round.