Ateneo rolls over UST, 68-56

Justin Chua’s break out game came just in time for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Thanks to their big man’s monster game, the Blue Eagles were able to pull away from the UST Growling Tigers, 68-56, in their first round match up of the 73rd UAAP Season, Sunday, July 18 at the Philsports Arena. The Blue Eagles improved their record to 2-1, while the Tigers dropped to 1-1.

The team has already played two close games this early in the season, and their third game seemed to be set for another heart stopping finish. But Chua, the third year center out of Chiang Kai Shek College had other plans.
The Blue Eagles entered the fourth quarter clinging to a five point lead (51-46), which was quickly trimmed down to two after UST’s Clark Bautista hit a three(51-49). It would prove to be the Tigers’ last hurrah, however.

Chua scored eight of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, all of which came in a crucial stretch wherein the Blue Eagles outscored the Tigers 10-3. After hitting three straight jump shots from almost the same spot on the floor, Chua scored on a driving lay-up that gave his team a nine-point lead that they would never relinquish. The Growling Tigers managed only 10 points in the final canto.

Coach Norman Black fielded in his third different starting line-up in as many games, with Chua starting as center, Eric Salamat and Kirk Long in the back court, and Frank Golla, and Ryan Buenafe joining Chua in the front court. After the game, Coach Norman would say that he had a ‘gut feeling’ that Chua would perform well in the game, thus his insertion in the starting line up.

“Today, (our big men) stepped up. Justin, Frank Golla and Nico Salva really played well inside, which is something we really needed. UST is a really physical team, and if you don’t play them physical, they will bully you the whole game,” said Black.

Chua finished with a stat line of 17 points, 11 rebounds (five offensive), four blocks, and impressively, no turnovers.

It was a physical game from start to finish. The Growling Tigers kept themselves in the game with their outside shooting, but their overly aggressive defense often led to fouls, and thus, free throws for the Ateneo side. Still, UST managed to keep the game close until the end of the third quarter, thanks to their hot shooting from the perimeter. In the end, however, the Tigers could not contain Chua and also failed to execute their own plays.

The Blue Eagles’ reserves also outplayed UST’s bench, with Salva providing most of the scoring punch as he poured in 14 points. The Ateneo bench ended up outscoring UST’s, 35-20.

After the game, Chua credited the team’s coaching staff for helping him develop. He also talked about their task of trying to fill Rabeh Al-Husseini’s shoes. “The pressure on us is not to totally replace Rabeh or duplicate his dominance. We need to provide an inside presence, to rebound and to hustle. Scoring is just a bonus,” Chua said in Filipino.

Despite the victory, it is clear that the Blue Eagles are not done tinkering with their line-up. “We’re still trying to get better,” said Coach Norman. “I’m trying to figure out who can step-up and really compete at this level. We’re still a work in progress.”

The Blue Eagles will next face their archrivals, the De La Salle Green Archers next Saturday, July 24, 5pm at the Araneta Coliseum

By Camille Eugenia B. Naredo