Blue Eagles force do-or-die Game 3

By Camille B. Naredo

Eric Salamat was clearly not ready to see the end of his Ateneo basketball career.

In Game 2 of the Philippine Collegiate Championship League Finals, the fifth-year guard scored 24 points bolstered by four trifectas and led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 70-59 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons. The Blue Eagles forced a winner-take-all third game to be held Monday at the San Juan Arena.

The Blue Eagles started the game slow in the first half. Lackluster defense and poor offensive execution from the Katipunan squad allowed the Falcons to erect a six point lead at the half, 30-24. Timely shots from Frank Golla and Kirk Long kept the Blue Eagles in the game, but the team was clearly playing with less intensity than their Adamson counterparts.

It was a completely different story in the second half as the Blue Eagles came out with much greater energy. Nico Salva started the third quarter with a jumper off an Emman Monfort pass, and Salva returned the favor a possession later by assisting on a Monfort trey. Salamat went on a personal 7-0 run highlighted by a steal and a fast break lay-up. The Blue Eagles outscored the Falcons 27-15 in the third canto and went to the last quarter with a 51-45 lead.

The Falcons would not go away easily, however, as they fought back thanks to back-to-back triples from Lester Alvarez. Salamat would answer with two triples of his own, the last one coming from almost 30 feet out.

There was a tense moment in the fourth quarter when Adamson coach Leo Austria was assessed with a technical foul as he continuously complained to the officials over what he believed was a wrong call. For a few seconds, it seemed as though the Falcons would refuse to take to the playing court.

Their coach’s technical foul did not help the Falcons’ cause, as they were unable to execute offensively. The Blue Eagles’ second half defense improved considerably from the first half, and they harassed the Falcons, forcing them to earn their points from the charity stripe. Clearly flustered by the Blue Eagles vaunted championship experience, the Falcons failed to close out the series.

In the earlier game between the Juniors champions of the UAAP and NCAA, Blue Eaglet Kiefer Ravena hit a buzzer beating game winner over San Beda Red Cubs’ Baser Amer, leading his team to an 87-85 win. Ravena had 34 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Quarter Scores: 12-18, 24-30, 51-45, 70-59

Ateneo 70 – Salamat 24, Salva 13, Monfort 11, Long 9, Golla 4, Austria 3, Chua 2, Tiongson 2, Dela Cruz 2, Escueta 0, Erram 0, Gonzaga 0

Adamson 59 – Colina 18, Cabrera 10, Alvarez 10, Nuyles 5, Manyara 4, Camson 4, Lozada 2, Brondial 2, Rios 2, Stinnett 2, Etrone 0, Cañada 0, Monteclaro 0