By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 14, 2008
Six-foot-six Rabeh Al-Hussaini asserted himself down low as Ateneo subdued a fighting University of the East crew, 64-58, yesterday for its third straight victory in the 71st UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Al-Hussaini had 18 points and seven rebounds as he dominated the smaller UE frontline. He played for 31 minutes, shooting 9-of-20 from the field.
In the other game, Adamson University rode on the superb performance of Mark Agustin to whip winless National University, 73-65.
Despite a smaller lineup, the Warriors battled the Eagles ferociously off the boards, 41-43.
But the Eagles played better in the endgame to post the hard-earned victory.
"I’m very happy with the win," said Ateneo head coach Norman Black. "The big men stepped up, had a good game for us. We really got on the boards well, particularly on the offensive rebounds."
Al-Hussaini, a recruit from Philippine Christian University, got plenty of help.
Chris Tiu chipped in 11 points while rookie Ryan Buenafe and Noy Baclao each had 10 points.
Al-Hussaini poured eight points in the final quarter, that included a tip-in and a hook shot, sparking an 8-0 blast that gave the Blue Eagles a 59-51 margin with 4:16 left in the contest.
"Today, he was able to get into the offensive boards today," Black said of the 19-year-old Al-Hussaini. "He missed few easy shots in the end, I probably had a much bigger game but he really came up big for us."
Espiritu led the Red Warriors, who fell to a 2-1 win-loss, with 11 points and nine rebounds while Pari Llagas tallied 10 points and five boards.
Ateneo led early 21-14 as Tiu made seven points while Baclao had six.
However, a 13-6 run, highlighted by a booming trey by Paul Zamar, gave the Recto-based squad a 27-26 lead at halftime.
The Blue Eagles stormed to a 41-34 advantage midway in the third as Al-Hussaini hit two putbacks but UE tied the count at 45-45 at the end of the quarter on an 11-4 spurt fueled by Zamar’s two triples and Rudy Lingganay’s gutsy drive.
Zamar, the son of former Red Warrior coach Boyzie, went 3-for-6 from the three-point area to finish with nine points off the bench.
Earlier, Agustin scored 16 of his career-best 25 points in the first half as the Falcons barged into the win column following two losses.
"I’m happy na nanalo kami," said Adamson mentor Leo Austria. "Nakakanerbyos itong tournament na ito dahil everybody expects a lot from us dahil sa performance namin nung preseason at well balanced ang season na ito."
Jan Colina had 11 points and five rebounds while Mike Galinato chipped in with nine points and five boards.
The scores:
First Game
Adamson 73 - Agustin 25, Colina 11, Galinato 9, Nuyles 7, Canada 7, Alvarez 4, Gonzalgo 2, Yambot 1, Lozada 0, Santos 0, Gorospe 0
NU 65 - Asoro 22, Jahnke 8, Dela Cruz 7, Ponferrada 7, Aguilar 5, Baloran 5, Garcia 5, Fabula 4, Tungcul 2. Batac 0, Galapon 0, Luy 0, Catamora 0
Quarters: 16-13, 31-22, 51-47, 73-65
Second Game
Ateneo 64 - Al-Hussaini 18, Tiu 11, Buenafe 10, Baclao 10, Salamat 6, Salva 4, Escueta 3, Nkemakolam 3, Austria 2, Baldos 0, Long 0, Reyes 0
UE 58 - Espiritu 11, Llagas 10, Zamar 9, Lingganay 9, Martinez 7, Bandaying 6, Thiele 4, Arellano 2, Noble 0, Etrone 0, Acuna 0, Reyes 0
Quarters: 12-10, 26-27, 45-45, 64-58
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