The Red Warriors had at least two weeks of rest, and that proved to have gone against them. They lose the swagger, and they were tentative in taking their shots. They were also forcing a lot of their shots from the three-point region.

The Archers, on the other hand, worked like a well-oiled machine, conquering the Warriors on both offense and defense. They fought tooth-and-nail against the Blue Eagles, and that worked for them, as they learned to work better as a team.

The title marks the sixth one for Franz Pumaren. He had four from 1998-2001, the fifth title in 2004, and his sixth this year, at the expense of his younger brother, Dindo Pumaren.

But the game went the other way. La Salle won yet again after relinquishing that chance in their first encounter. With the twice-to-beat advantage, the Archers manifested their resiliency and resolve to win the big games. Ateneo has La Salle’s numbers this season. They won three of five matches against the Archers, but they lost the huge games.

With the twice-to-beat advantage up for grabs, La Salle subdued the Eagles. Then last Sunday, with the finals berth on hand for the victor, the Archers won again.

Ateneo has nothing to be ashamed of. They played with a lot of heart. Nobody expected them to be in the thick of things for Season 70’s UAAP Finals appearance. They were ranked behind UE, La Salle, UST and FEU, right in line with NU. This order was determined with the exit of three Star Eagles in JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Macky Escalona. The trio were all drafter in the first round in the PBA Annual Draft.

But Ateneo fought back hard. They were in fifth place at the end of the first round, but won big games against FEU, UST and La Salle. They were not expected to win those games. They were at second place before they lost an all-important game to NU. A very big loss. They dug themselves a huge hole. They failed to seize and grab the opportunity. One lesson Ateneo must need to learn is how to play with a lot of the same intensity after a win against the Archers. Almost each time they defeated the Archers, they always lose their next game. They always appear to spend all their gasses against the Archers, that they appear tired in the next game.

That happened last Sunday. They got tired, and La Salle has done a masterful job clamping down on Tiu, who killed them with big triples in all their three losses. Ateneo failed to secure two all-important defensive rebounds at the end game. That spelled the difference. They were outhustled for those two boards. Those were big let-downs. The Archers were just quicker to the ball. The Eagles tried to come back, but they were sluggish and exhausted. They have spent all their energy in their previous win. And Tiu was nowhere to be found this time.

But then again, they have overachieved. They fought with a lot of heart. All their games against the Archers, the second round win against UST, the game where they exorcised the past year’s demons against UST (they sent them home this time) – these were all classic games.

Only Ford Arao and Zio Laterre will bid goodbye to the blue-and-white gallery this season. There is a lot of hope for this young team. I must say, Season 71 should be the season that the Eagles will win another title. Tiu, Yuri Escueta, Ken Baracosso and Jobe Nkemakolam may come back for their final UAAP year. Rookies Nonoy Baclao and Kirk Long will play bigger roles. I guess anything short of a title will be an underachievement. After the exit last Sunday, I salute the boys for a job well done, and let me say this loud and clear – I still believe! A title is in the offing next year.

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He was all business in the deciding canto. He has fire in his eyes. He even exchanged words with TY Tang, when the latter was taking free-throws. He refused to end the Blue Eagles season today! He fired seven points in the fourth quarter. Five big points in the last two minutes of the game.

With Ateneo struggling from the three-point line, Tiu made the lone trifecta, off a pass from Nonoy Baclao, another hero in his own right. The Blue Eagles were 0-of-8 before that shot. Ford Arao then made a hook from the left flank at the 24-second shot clock buzzer. Then Tiu once again drove to the hole, and made a gritty lay-up over the outstretched arms of Rico Maierhoffer to take the lead for good, 65-64.

Tiu has claimed leadership of this team, and man, did he deliver! He is the King Eagle this season, and has lived up to expectations. Thank you Chris! Kindly deliver Ateneo back to the Finals once again this Sunday, and prove to everyone that indeed we have La Salle’s numbers this time around!

*** I had fun reading this text message sent my way right after the win: “Win or lose, it’s the school we TIUs! Hay SALAMAT! Napakagandang ARAO! See you LATERRE. Go Ateneo! (pic courtesy of flckr.com)

Ateneo holds the edge this season, winning two of their three matches against La Salle. But the Blue Eagles lost the very important game that should have gained them the twice-to-beat advantage, after a bitter loss to already-eliminated National University Bulldogs.

Now Ateneo has no other choice but to win tomorrow to live another game. They are hoping that another player will step up aside from Chris Tiu and Ford Arao. In their win against the UST Growling Tigers, seldom-used Mike Baldos and rookie Nonoy Baclao played big, and helped the Blue Eagles advanced in the step-ladder format.

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This season, it has been a different story. It appeared to be another masterful dominance by UST at the first canto, but Ateneo clawed their way back after being down 10-18. Chris Tiu and Ford Arao teamed-up for the well-oiled comeback in the second quarter, and the Blue Eagles were up 32-30 at the end of the first half.

Contrary to what have happened to the previous (disappointing) games, Ateneo used a mighty 18-3 run in the third and held an 11-point lead, 43-32, at one point (Ateneo lost the third period to their opponents in the previous two losses). Although UST came back and cut the deficit to two, at 44-46, the Eagles just had too much composure and held the Tigers at bay. Actually, Ateneo gave UST a dose of their own medicine as they crashed for the offensive boards. Rookie Nonoy Baclao was accountable for six offensive rebounds and nine points, all in the deciding period.

Ateneo then coasted to a 59-54 victory. It was redemption for the Blue Eagles as they exacted sweet revenge on their Season 69 tormentors. It was further a beautiful triumph for most of the fans and themselves as the Eagles made UST Coach Pido Jarencio swallow his own boastful words. Brimming with too much pride before the game, Jarencio bragged that they were tough and implied that Ateneo was not tough enough to face them. He further warned all other teams to be wary of them. Alas, the Eagles were wary and they stamped their class over their swagger-full counterparts. Poetic justice it is!

Kudos to Arao, Tiu, Eric Salamat (cross-over penetrations), Baclao (putbacks and blocks), Zion Laterre (hustle and defense), Yuri Escueta (orchestration and his quick feet) and the rarely-used Mike Baldos (quality minutes)! They played a helluva of a game. That’s how they should play till the end of the season, with the crown at the palm of their hands! I believe they will. (photo courtesy of www.fabiloh.com by alyson yap)

That non-call was big! If I may quote TJ Manotoc, “Maierhoffer had some arm[!]” With Ateneo just down by two, 67-69, that let-go decided the outcome of the game. There were a lot of questionable calls in this match favoring the Archers, which includes a flagrant on the mild-mannered Chris Tiu against Bader Malabes. Malabes was never hit on the head, it could have been all-ball as replays showed, but the cheating refs called it otherwise rewarding the Archers with two free-throws and a possession.

Jvee Casio redeemed himself after a 1-for-15 showing in their second encounter against the Eagles. He had 21 points and six rebounds.

Ateneo will now face the dangerous defending Champions UST Growling Tigers in a knock-out match, which will determine who will face the Archers, but needing to beat the Green-and-Mean twice. (photo courtesy of yyuseco.multiply.com)
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Japs Cuan had an all-around performance for the Tigers scoring eight points, dishing out nine assists and grabbing eight rebounds. They were up by as much as 23 points in the middle of the third. FEU had a 13-0 nothing run, cutting the lead down to ten, 66-76, with less than four minutes remaining. But a Jun Cortez jumper and botched attempts by the Tamaraws halted the FEU run.

The Tigers will now await the loser of the Ateneo Blue Eagles-La Salle Green Archers game set at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

The Red Warriors will go directly to the Finals, and will await the winner of the step-ladder format. Earlier, defending champions UST lost to FEU. They will have a play-off game for fourth place this Monday.

The win would not have been possible if not for a big shot from forward Mark Fampulme. He squared-off for the jumper over an unsuspecting PJ Walsham. It was the game’s turning point, with UE leading by five with a few seconds remaining.

Finally, Coach Norman Black has realized how many easy shots should have been made. Sayang! He benched Ken at the start of the third canto until the lead ballooned to as high as 36. Ateneo won 93-59, with Ken having to show just a field goal made. His defense was not that felt by the Maroons either. One of the most inefficient displays I have seen in years.

Baracosso was expected to fill JC Intal’s shoes in the Blue Eagle line-up, but he has been a disappointment for the past four years. He was a sensation in his high school days. But his transition to the college game was anything but easy. He has the height, the skills and the versatility. He could have easily replaced the now-pro Larry Fonacier, as they have the same built. But he never really developed his shooting. He could cut to the basket, but could never finish it. He is fast on the break, however, he could not somehow make the hoop.

The Ateneo community has waited for too long for Baracosso to blossom. He has had a lot of chances, and has wasted a lot of playing time, but he has never really developed into the dominant player he should have been. His stay on the court hurt the Eagles more than benefit them. That’s why I am clamoring, as well as other Ateneans may, please just bench Ken Baracosso.

For the second straight game, the Blue Eagles have exacted back-to-back victories over the teams that beat them in the first round, badly. It appeared though that Ateneo was heading to another loss as the Tigers imposed their will from the outside and inside. They played with extreme confidence, bordering near-cockiness. Wait, they were cocky. Cruz and company were laughing and fooling around throughout the first three quarters.

But the Eagles never let up, and with their game faces on, they stirred a run that broke the hearts of the Tigers. It was an important game for them as they want to stay in the hunt for a final four berth in the UAAP. Ateneo is now at 6-4 in the standings, while UST dropped to 6-5. It was an exciting match for last year’s finalists. (photo courtesy of http://yyseco.multiply.com/photos)