Looking at Ateneo’s 79-70 win over FEU

Looking at Ateneo’s 79-70 win over FEU

By Rick Olivares

 

Two wins. Two nine-point wins.

 

One satisfying. The latest triumph, not exactly satisfying because it was annoying.

 

Annoying in the sense that they should have pounded FEU into the dust but instead gave them life and hope.

 

This is one of those games where the Ateneo Blue Eagles blew hot and cold. You get the feeling they got the full measure of FEU but FEU did not get the full measure of Ateneo with SJ Belangel and Angelo Kouame playing a bit below standard. 

 

However, they will have to be concerned.

 

·      This is the second consecutive game where they gave up a huge lead (20 points at one point).

·      This is the second consecutive game where the opponent had more second chance and fastbreak points (11-1 second chance points and 10-2 in fastbreak points).

·      This is the second consecutive game where the opponent shot more free throws (9/11 versus 16/23). 

·      This is the second consecutive game where Angelo Kouame did not get the better of his opposing center.

·      This is the second consecutive game where the opponent outscored them in the fourth quarter. Were it not for the huge leads, they might have lost the game. UP outscored Ateneo 27-19 in the final canto while FEU tacked on 19-12 points in the payoff period.

 

Angelo Kouame 11 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block vs. 3 turnovers.

Malick Diouf 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal against one mistake.

 

Angelo Kouame 9 points and 11 rebounds against 2 turnovers.

Emmanuel Ojuola 15 points, 17 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal against 5 turnovers.

 

On at least three occasions, he could have dunked the ball or easily laid it in, but instead, he went for a reverse lay-up.

 

And I don’t get why he has to chase Ojuola outside when the man does not take a shot from there. With him outside, FEU kept attacking the interior; hence, more free throw attempts.

 

As they say, a win is a win. Ateneo is still 2-0 and finding different ways and weapons to win. 

 

Speaking of weapons, Dave Ildefonso has been consistent (19 points versus UP and 17 points against FEU).

 

And there’s the next man up.

 

Against UP, Raffy Verano was excellent. This time, Verano was still very good, but that next man up award goes to Tyler Tio who also scored 17 points; all in the third period as he matched the Tamaraws production by his lonesome and then some. 

 

I was waiting for him to explode against UP which he normally does. Instead, he scored five against UP but saved that ammo for FEU (6-10 FG and 1-1 FTs). That huge lead he helped put up in the third period served as a buffer. 

 

And this time Chris Koon played a whole lot better. He made his presence felt this time with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal against zero turnovers. And I like that he looked more comfortable this time around. He played almost 14 minutes and was a factor. The more he soaks in the experience and the competition he will get better. 

 

BJ Andrade played well as did Gian Mamuyac. They stopped RJ Abarrientos early on but when Ateneo’s defense caved in, the do-it-all player for FEU picked up on his point production.

 

We’re still at the learning curve (in the absence of a real pre-season). Ateneo has faced two tough teams in a row and will go up against Adamson which notched its first win under Nash Racela this Thursday. 

 

It would be interesting to see how they come out against the Soaring Falcons on a day’s rest.