HoopWatch

Chris Tiu was struggling throughout the ball game. He just had a single point at half time. Then unloaded just six in the third quarter, mostly from the free-throw line. He was hounded all game long. No fouls were called, not unless he was sent to the floor. He had six turnovers, one on a bogus traveling call and another on a questionable offensive foul. Ateneo was down six, 58-64, with two minutes remaining in the ball game. Yet he never gave up. La Salle had all the momentum going there way. And then came Tiu.

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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)