Ateneo clamps down on Adamson in defensive masterclass

 Ateneo clamps down on Adamson in defensive masterclass

By Rick Olivares

 

Okay, the Ateneo Blue Eagles addressed some concerns here in their 78-47 triumph over Adamson.

 

What you have to like first and foremost this was a team win.

 

All 14 players sent in scored at least two points. Only Angelo Kouame scored in double figures with 13 points to go with 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.

 

And of those 14 players sent in, 11 had at least one assist. That was 23 assists to the nine of Adamson. 

 

In terms of bench points, Ateneo’s reserves poured in 47 to the 21 of the Falcons. With the bench playing well, it afforded the starters some rest. Even a bit will help. 

 

Another thing you have to like is how Chris Koon is finding his form and will ably fill in for Raffy Verano when he graduates. Koon can drive, shoot, rebound, find the open man, and can only get better with his defense and court sense.

 

Gabriel Gomez came alive with two three and two free throws. 

 

Joshua Lazaro is huge off the boards with nine while Koon added five. 

 

On the defensive side, no Adamson player scored more than six points. I have not seen this happen before. Not even in the juniors tournament. Maybe in women’s hoops. 

 

The Falcons shot a collective 19/65 field goals for 29.2%. 

 

I would like to point out how the Blue Eagles stopped the opposing playmakers of Adamson.

 

Player	Vs UE	Vs Ateneo
Jerom Lastimosa	14 points (4/4 FG) + 4/4 FT, 2 assists	4 points (2/8 FGs), 3 assists, 1 steal
Joem Sabandal	8 points, 4 assists	2 points (1/5 FGs)
Jed Colonia	2 assists, 2 steals	1 point (0/5 FGs)

 

And this is how UP’s point guards figured in the match.

Player	Vs Ateneo
Joel Cagulangan	4 points (0/1 FGs) 4/4 FTs
Gerry Abadiano	2 points (1/3 FGs)

 

Ateneo did well early on against FEU’s playmakers before losing the plot.

 

What did they address from the previous two games?

The need to hold on to a lead.

They went up by 20-plus points in the first half but coughed it up again. However, after a nervy start to the third period, they brought it right back up to a high of 35.

 

They outscored Adamson 20-18 in points off turnovers.

They had an 11-4 advantage in fastbreak points. 

They shot more free throws (11/19) as opposed to Adamson (6/10). 

 

But Adamson had a slim 12-10 advantage in second chance points. 

Remember, this is a young Adamson team and they will get better. They will soak in all the learnings from this beating and get better. after all, they have the coaching staff and the players.

 

You would like to say the team is firing on all cylinders but it isn’t just yet. Still kinks to work out. But they are getting there.

 

All in all, a tidy win for Ateneo heading into their Saturday match versus La Salle.