The Ateneo Blue Eagles earned an impressive victory over the defending champions, FEU Tamaraws, yesterday at the MOA Arena. The Eagles started strong as they ended the first quarter with an 8-point lead and their biggest advantage was at 13 points. They had the advantage for most of the game even without the injured Aaron Black.
However, the Tams cannot be discounted because they made a run during the 4th quarter. They managed to tie the game at 66 apiece with about 2 minutes left but Thirdy Ravena and Anton Asistio closed the door on the comeback attempt by FEU. So, the Ateneans won the game 76-71. Great effort and excellent team win.
Well, here are my observations after that game...
Asistio and Ravena celebrated their win over FEU
(Image from: Arvin Lim)
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The BAD
- Aaron Black started the game and played 2 minutes BUT he did not return due to a leg injury
- There's a chance that Black's injury might cause him to miss multiple games
- The starters only comnbined for 26 points
- Kris Porter attempted 5 threes and made none; He finished with zero points on 0-6 shooting
- Asistio and Matt Nieto continued to struggle hitting shots consistently
- Ikeh had 4 turnovers and FEU's Prince Orizu totally outplayed him
- ADMU only had 9 assists while committing 16 turnovers
- Scoring fast break points and running in transition are still problematic
- They were out-rebounded by 6
- Defensive rotations are a work in progress
- ADMU still had difficulty beating the press
The GOOD
- Blue Eagles won without Black
- Jolo Mendoza played and scored a career-high 10 points, all in the first half
- If you are taking notes, Ateneo is 2-0 in games Mendoza plays in
- The bench scored 56 points
- Thirdy Ravena led them with 17 points including the go ahead basket
- Mike Nieto had another solid game; he finished with 9 points and 11 rebounds
- Adrian Wong made 3 threes and finished with 13 points
- Ignoring his 4 turnovers, Ikeh had an okay game with 8 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks
- Asistio converted a crucial layup plus a foul during the dying minutes
- ADMU shot more FTs than FEU, 21-20
- Ateneo made more threes and shot a better percentage compared to FEU
- They had more blocks than their opponents for the 3rd straight game
- Shawn Ildefonso made his senior's debut in the first half
Final Thoughts
This was an excellent bounce back game by the Eagles and Thirdy Ravena. What made this win more impressive was how they won without Aaron Black. Now, we all need to hope and pray that Black will be fine.
It was also amazing to witness how ADMU led for most of the game and they did not lose their composure, nor did they panic when FEU made a run and tied the game during the latter portions of the 4th quarter. This was a team win.Great job by everyone!
Finally, they should enjoy this win briefly because they play again on Saturday vs the Adamson Soaring Falcons. #OBF
It was also amazing to witness how ADMU led for most of the game and they did not lose their composure, nor did they panic when FEU made a run and tied the game during the latter portions of the 4th quarter. This was a team win.Great job by everyone!
Finally, they should enjoy this win briefly because they play again on Saturday vs the Adamson Soaring Falcons. #OBF
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