Ateneo routs La Salle in rematch

It was almost a month ago when the Ateneo Blue Eagles lost to the De La Salle Green Archers for the first time in two seasons. Five games later, the loss still rankled, and the Blue Eagles were clearly out for revenge against their archrivals.

The Blue Eagles were able to avenge their loss in a big way, routing La Salle 74-57 and leading by as many as 26 points. Their sixth straight victory puts Ateneo in solo second place with an 8-2 card while the Archers fell to 6-4.

Kirk Long led the way for Ateneo both offensively and defensively: he scored 22 points while shackling La Salle’s Joshua Webb and Samuel Marata with stifling defense. The win was a clear team effort, however, as the Blue Eagles held La Salle to only 34.5% shooting, as well as out-rebounding them, 46-36. The Ateneo’s starters outscored La Salle’s first five by a whopping 27 points, 46-19.

“It’s a big win for us not just because it helps us in the standings, but because it’s De La Salle,” said a happy Coach Norman Black after the game.

The Blue Eagles actually trailed early in the first quarter, 9-4, before Long started his offensive barrage with the first of his four three pointers in the game. Sparked by Long’s three, the Blue Eagles went on a 14-2 blitz, highlighted by an Eric Salamat lay-up off Ryan Buenafe’s pass through traffic. The Hail Mary squad led 19-11 after the first quarter.

“The first couple of minutes, they came out with more intensity,” said Long. “But once we started matching that, our confidence got up and we were able to execute what we wanted on offense and defense better.”

In the second quarter, Coach Norman sent in his second unit. The Blue Eagle’s bench not only maintained the lead but increased it; they would also hold La Salle without a point for the first four minutes of the second half.

The second canto showed the beginning of the end for the Green Archers, as they managed to score only 10 points. They also could not stop the Ateneo’s offensive onslaught: the Blue Eagles were able to get into the paint time and time again for lay-ups. They would lead 39-21 at the half.

The Green Archers came out with more fire in the third quarter, scoring four straight points and bringing the lead down to 14. The Blue Eagles would respond quickly, however. A quick 9-0 run brought the lead back up to 23. After four free throws from the Green Archers, Kirk Long would go on a personal 5-0 blitz, capped with a fast break lay-up off a steal, which gave the Blue Eagles their biggest lead of the night, 55 to 29.

Things got interesting in the fourth quarter as the Blue Eagles got into early penalty situation. The Green Archers seemed to be earning trips to the line nearly every time down. The Boys in Blue stood their ground, however, as they continued to play solid defense. A free throw by Emman Monfort ended the scoring at 74-57.

Coach Norman was clearly satisfied with his team’s performance. “We did a better job on their perimeter shooters, on closing out and cutting down on their three point shots,” he said. “We did a better job in breaking their press.”

He also commended their second unit, anchored by rookie Arthur dela Cruz and Emman Monfort. Dela Cruz had his finest game of the season, notching a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Monfort scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists. The Blue Eagles also got another solid outing from Buenafe, who had nine points, five rebounds and six assists.

“We really try to develop a second unit that can stand on its own. If our first five players get in foul trouble, the guys can step in right away and contribute. Today they did a great job,” said the Ateneo mentor.

Former Blue Eagle Larry Fonacier also paid a big compliment to Ateneo’s second unit, saying, “Their second five is just as good as their first five.”

After the game, Fonacier summed up the Ateneo’s current six-game win streak: “Ateneo is starting to pick up their game. They’re peaking at the right time.”

The Blue Eagles will go for their seventh straight victory against the UE Red Warriors on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

By Camille Eugenia B. Naredo