HoopWatch

The University of Sto Tomas Growling Tigers stole the championship away from the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last season. The Eagles were the number one team all throughout the eliminations, beat Adamson in the Final Four and won the initial game against UST in the Finals. But as fate would have it, Superstar forward JC Intal missed most of his mid-range shots (the ones he easily made before that game), and the Tigers made their all-imporant free-throws and shot easy putbacks en route to the title.

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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)