Ateneo defeats UST: A defensive masterpiece

A defensive masterpiece.

by rick olivares

What are the images that you can associate with the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ 66-52 win over the UST Growling Tigers?

There was Renzo Subido scooting for what seemed to be one of the easiest baskets all day for a fastbreak lay-up. Subido was several steps ahead of his closest pursuer when Ateneo Blue Eagle forward Will Navarro appeared out of nowhere to erase the shot. 

There was an entry pass by Subido to center Soulemane Chabi Yo who used a pick to get inside the lane. Only Matthew Daves was there to meet him and he not only blocked the leading-MVP candidate’s shot, but he also ripped the ball away from him igniting a fastbreak.

There is that late triple by SJ Belangel with a split second left in the shot clock.

Perhaps more importantly, there is that first quarter stretch when both teams were struggling to score and Angelo Kouame went to the bench with two early fouls. This time, the second unit was able to seize a slim lead unlike against La Salle and UP where they lost it. They more than held their own with Gian Mamuyac, Matthew Daves, and Tyler Tio – he hit some big shots -- all chipping in. Every player who got sent in contributed something to the stat sheet. They held on and played well even without Kouame on the floor.

I like how Tab Baldwin sent in Matthew Daves and he immediately scored. Then there was his huge block on Chabi Yo. Wait until Chew gets even more confident and that ball regularly. He is going to posterize someone.

After the win over UP, you could hear disgruntled UP fans harp about the officiating and how Ateneo only gets by because of Kouame – both are ridiculous but that’s what the sour grapes will always say). Ateneo really did a number on UST – holding them to their worst shooting game in eight matches (28% from the field). 

Their usual sparkplugs – Chabi Yo, Renzo Subido, Rhenz Abando, Brent Paraiso, Sherwin Concepcion, and CJ Cansino were held down. Only Mark Nonoy could find a way to score. And when he did, Ateneo always had an answer.

Conversely, Kouame didn’t have a good scoring game. Ditto with Will Navarro. But Thirdy Ravena and SJ Belangel were up to the task.

There’s that anxiety heading into the game because everyone knows how good and talented the UST Growling Tigers are. Many said that Ateneo was lucky to escape with a one-point win in the first round. 

Well… this was an emphatic response to that especially post-UP. It is a very good 66-52 win that placed the Blue Eagles at 8-0 while dropping the Growling Tigers to 4-4. It was a defensive masterpiece where they bucked the physicality of the Growling Tigers.

And there is a better flow now to them than in games past. They didn’t force too many outside shots. They pounded UST inside (34-16) and scored two points less from the perimeter (26-28) but that is because of Nonoy’s late flurry. They also outscored UST 16-9 in second chance points.

Every win over UST leaves me with a good feeling. The loss of 2006 will be there for eternity, but every pounding they take dulls the pain. 

Onward to the three-peat.