The Redeem Team: Eaglets Gathering Steam

The Ateneo de Manila High School Blue Eaglets are gathering steam as they head deeper into the second round of the Season 76 UAAP Juniors Basketball Tournament. They haven’t dropped a game since losing to the FEU-FERN Baby Tamaraws early in the first round, and they even avenged that loss just last week.  Right now, the Blues of coach Joe Silva have a 7-2 win-loss slate and are in solo second right behind the undefeated NU Bullpups, who are at 9-0.

In its last three games, Ateneo has been immaculate, beating the UST Tiger Cubs to close out the first round before beating, as stated earlier, FEU-FERN and then De La Salle-Zobel just this past weekend. This stretches the Eaglets’ winning run to 6 games as they gather steam towards what should be a strong wind-up to the elimination round.

Thirdy Ravena yells after completing a big
play against the Junior Archers.

AHS BLUE EAGLETS over UST TIGER CUBS, 75-69

Aaron Black has always been playing in the shadow of his more illustrious teammates, guys like Thirdy Ravena, the Nieto twins, and Jolo Mendoza, all of whom have been part of at least one national team. He is also the son of bemedaled bench tactician Norman Black (as if you couldn’t infer), so, well, that doesn’t really ease the pressure, too.

Seldom has he really taken the cudgels and carried Ateneo to a W, but that’s exactly what he did against the UST Tiger Cubs last August 3, 2013. The graduating senior connected on 9 of his 14 two-point field goals, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in easily his best performance of the season. This was especially significant since Ravena, the team’s erstwhile leading scorer, was getting hampered by the tight UST defense, the Blues were, as usual, turning the ball over more then they ought to, and the long toms weren’t falling.

Aaron almost single-handedly kept the Eaglets in this game, scoring all but two of his points in the first three quarters as the Tiger Cubs were threatening to pull away. If not for Black’s production, the Eaglet’s searing fourth quarter rally might have been all for naught.

When the Cubs did finally find a way to limit Aaron in the final frame, his teammates turned up the heat. A 12-3 run early in the fourth period enabled Ateneo to turn a 7-point deficit into a slim 2-point lead midway through the quarter. The Blues continued to relentlessly press their foes before UST’s Ice Dandan cut the gap to just a solitary point, 68-67, with about 70 seconds left.

It was then that junior big man Mike Nieto stepped up to the plate and scored the Ateneo’s final 7 points to secure the win, 75-69. The Ateneans ended the first round on a high note and, more importantly, kept within striking distance of the Bullpups, who were sitting pretty at first place.

Scores:

Ateneo 75 – Black 19, Nieto Mi 14, Escaler 10, Nieto Ma 8, Mendoza 8, Salandanan 6, Ravena 6, Joson E 2, Joson T 2, Ramos 0, Mamuyac 0, Magpoc 0, Jose 0, Calilung 0

UST 69 – Dandan 30, Corre 10, Syyap 9, Mayor 9, Reyes 4, Salinas 3, Ramirez 2, Marcelo 2, Dela Serna 0, Borje 0, Berdijo 0

QS: 18-15, 28-37, 49-55, 75-69

Notable Performers:

Aaron Black (AHS) – 19pts, 7rebs, 2asts

Mike Nieto (AHS) – 14pts, 19rebs, 3asts

Ice Dandan (UST) – 30pts, 8rebs, 2blks

AHS BLUE EAGLETS over FEU-FERN BABY TAMARAWS, 79-69

The Eaglets’ first round loss to the NU Bullpups wasn’t at all shocking, since NU was tagged to be one of the preseason title favorites along with Ateneo. The loss to the Baby Tamaraws, however, was quite disappointing, since this was a team that, although very competitive, the Eaglets really didn’t have too much trouble beating over the summer.

The Tams handed the Eaglets their second loss early in the season via an 82-78 overtime decision. It was definitely something for which the Ateneans wanted revenge.

And last August 17, 2013, they were able to do exactly that.

In sharp contrast to their first round encounter, this game was a bit one-sided. Ateneo opened the match strong, building an early double-digit bubble, 12-2, thanks to the exploits of Ravena and the Nieto twins. They sustained the momentum all the way till right before the halftime break –

 Ateneo led, 39-21, with a little more than 3 minutes to go.

Game over?

Not by a long shot.

Richard Escoto (brother of the Tamaraw Russel Escoto, duh!) and Wendell Comboy ended the half strong for FEU, cutting the deficit to a more manageable quantity, 39-26.

That means Ateneo failed to score for 3 minutes. Not a good sign.

Things continued to go back-and-forth in the second half, with FEU making a run and Ateneo countering with its own. One has to give credit to the Baby Tams, though, since they never gave up even if Ateneo built a 20-point lead midway through the third.

The Green & Gold still trailed big time, 63-45, with less than 9 minutes left in the game, but, still, they persisted. Coach Michael Oliver’s wards outscored the Blues, 24-10, over the next 7 minutes to trim the gap to just four points, 73-69, entering the last 2 minutes.

“Uh oh,” coach Silva probably thought.

Southpaw shooter JJ Domingo was the main architect of that FEU uprising. He scored 15 of his 24 points in the final stanza, including 3 straight triples that really kept the Baby Tamaraws within trampling distance.

In the end, however, the Eaglets’ cushion proved to be just enough, as Ravena and Matt Nieto canned their freebies to preserve the critical victory. Had the meltdown continued, then, aside from being loss #3, the game would’ve been a really negative turning point for the Ateneans. Instead, it seemed to have made them realize that they cannot afford to relax at any moment and even if they have such a big lead.

That mindset was something they would certainly need against their next foes, the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers.

Scores:

Ateneo 79 – Ravena 22, Nieto Mi 20, Nieto Ma 10, Black 8, Mendoza 6, Joson E 6, Magpoc 5, Escaler 2, Salandanan 0, Ramos 0, Mamuyac 0, Joson T 0, Jose 0

FEU-FERN 69 – Domingo JJ 24, Lee 9, Escoto 9, Bienes 6, Aquino 6, Completo 5, Comboy 5, Domingo JS 3, Lumba 2, Tabudlo 0, Runbaoa 0, Paglinawan 0, Harrow 0, Fajarito 0

QS: 26-13, 39-26, 59-45, 79-69

Notable Performers:

Thirdy Ravena (AHS) – 22pts, 12rebs, 4blks, 3asts, 1stl

Mike Nieto (AHS) – 20pts, 13rebs, 1stl

JJ Domingo (FEU) – 24pts, 10rebs, 3 treys, 2stls, 1blk

Mike Nieto continues to have a great season for the Eaglets.

AHS BLUE EAGLETS over DLSZ JUNIOR ARCHERS, 64-54

As expected of any Ateneo-La Salle game at any level, this one was emotionally-charged and one could practically just throw all the stats out the window.

The Eaglets were riding high on a five-game winning run, while the Archers were reeling. Zobel had a really fast start to the season, winning its first four games before the Ateneans handed them their first loss. Since then, the boys of coach Boris Aldeguer have been struggling, and they were looking to bounce back in the biggest way by thwarting their archrival’s streak right on their own home turf – the Blue Eagle Gym.

Right off the bat, things were tight, with the first half alone seeing eight ties and just as many lead changes. Coach Boris was going down low to burly slotman Jose Maldinger (formerly of San Beda Alabang) early and often. The much-maligned Maldinger, known for being quite the hot-head, delivered in spades, scoring 9 points before the break. He was ably supported by super swingman Quinito Banzon and premium playmaker Renzo Subido, who had already scored 8 and 6 markers respectively.

Jose Maldinger (L) receives some instructions from Renzo Subido (R).

On the home front, Thirdy Ravena and Matt Nieto led the way with a combined 20 points. In contrast, Mike Nieto, who had been the bulwark of Ateneo’s inside game all season, was limited to just 1/7 FG shooting, which was good for just 2 points. He did grab 8 rebounds at that point already, but this was balanced out by the fact he missed all four of his charity attempts.

Zobel led by one at the half, 29-28. It was clear that this was going to be another bruising battle.

The Archers had the better start when the second half commenced. Subido and backcourt partner Aljun Melecio (Zobel’s equivalent of our very own Jolo Mendoza) started to hit their stride, thereby giving the Greenies a 43-38 lead with under 3 minutes left in the third canto.

Many an Ateneo fan were already feeling a little too anxious at that point. Matt had not scored yet in the quarter, and his twin was likewise shackled. Another big finish was needed to salvage this game.

It was a good thing, then, that the Loyola quintet DID finish in a big way.

Over the next ten minutes bridging the third and fourth quarters, Ateneo outscored Zobel, 22-6, thanks mainly to Ravena, fellow senior Jme Escaler, super soph Mendoza, and the Nieto twins rediscovering their offensive touch.

Jme Escaler makes a bucket to help the Eaglets rally from
a second half deficit against DLSZ.

With about 2:44 to go in the game, the Eaglets enjoyed a commanding 60-49 bubble.

Subido tried to rally the Archers by scoring their last 5 points, but it was to no avail as Ravena and Black each shot insurance baskets for the home team. Ateneo prevailed, 64-54, with the double-digit final spread belying the intensity and struggles of both squads.

The result put Ateneo in solo second right behind the Bullpups, while it dropped the Archers into a precarious middle-of-the-pack position. Should Zobel lose one or two more games, their Final Four hopes will be dashed.

Still, despite being at 7 wins and 2 losses, the Eaglets cannot afford to relax. Every team they have yet to play, including former also-rans like Adamson (which they play today, August 27, 2013), UE and UPIS, cannot be taken lightly. Each game will be significant in terms of securing a Final Four berth and, if successful, solidifying a high seed.

Things don’t seem as dire as they were early in the season. The Eaglets are gathering much-needed steam, but the war is far from over. The goal, the dream of reclaiming the crown, is still a long ways away.

One BIG Fight!

Scores:

Ateneo 64 – Ravena 21, Nieto Ma 14, Nieto Mi 8, Mendoza J 7, Escaler 5, Salandanan 3, Joson E 3, Black 3, Ramos 0, Mendoza M 0, Mamuyac 0, Magpoc 0, Jose 0

Zobel 54 – Subido 18, Banzon 11, Maldinger 10, Melecio 8, Quintos 4, Sajulga 2, Romero 1, Paraiso 0, Isaac 0, Cabarrus 0, Abanilla 0

QS: 15-16, 28-29, 43-44, 64-54

Notable Performers:

Thirdy Ravena (AHS) – 21pts, 13rebs, 2blks

Matt Nieto (AHS) – 14pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 1blk

Renzo Subido (DLSZ) – 18pts, 2rebs, 2asts

All images are by Richard Esguerra/UAAPSports.tv.