HoopWatch

Everyone has listed the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles out of the running for the coveted UAAP plum this season. Everyone also listed the Adamson University Falcons as one of the contenders for the title.

Why not? The veteran and awesome PBA-bound trio of JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Macky Escalona has left the Blue Eagles for the pros. They are a bit lost right now, not having anyone to go to at crunch time. Meanwhile, the Falcons still have PBL veterans Patrick Cabahug and Roel Hugnatan, who are both reliable in pressure-packed moments.

At the start, the “lostness” of Ateneo was evident, they dug themselves a 2-17 hole. The lone basket was an undergoal stab from center Al-Husaini. Their leader Chris Tiu was scoreless, and they were shooting blanks from the outside. They could not stop Cabahug and Hugnatan who wrecking havoc from all over.

Then the bench came in, and it was a different story. Diminutive guard Jai Reyes sparked the offense by hitting jumper after jumper. Zion Lattere clamped on Cabahug, and Ford Arao was making baskets down-low. Actually, Ateneo used its size to storm back into the game. They led for the first time in the third period, 36-35, off two free-throws from Arao. They never looked back since.

They had some scary moments when Cabahug forced overtime by hitting an elbow jumper over Lattere, for a 53-all count at the end of regulation. But Arao imposed his presence in the extra period, scoring 10 of the Blue Eagles’ 18 points. They beat Adamson, 69-63.

The Falcons have not beaten the Blue Eagles for the 20th straight game, dating back to 1997. (photo courtesy of www.uaapgames.com)