By Abac Cordero - Philippine Star - July 20, 2008
Ateneo, as expected, remained unbeaten yesterday and continued to look down the opposition in the 71st UAAP season.
A great start anchored on a running game gave Ateneo the cushion it needed the rest of the way as it turned back host University of the Philippines, 83-66, at the Philsports Arena.
Ryan Buenafe, a rookie with the heart of a veteran, and Rabeth Al-Hussaini, a center who has shown tremendous improvement, did most of the damage as the Blue Eagles went 4-0.
Eric Salamat, always there to score, and Chris Tiu, always hard to defend, flexed just enough muscles for Ateneo, which scored 22 fastbreak points against only two from UP, which fell to 1-3.
The Blue Eagles led by 20 points a couple of times, the last at 80-60.
“I’m just happy that we took care of our business today. We didn’t want to stumble today. We got the win and that’s the most important thing,” said Norman Black, still eyeing a title in four years as Ateneo coach.
Ateneo went on a similar 4-0 start in 2006 but fell short of the crown, losing to Santo Tomas in the finals.
After playing three games in the season’s opening week, and another one this week, the Blue Eagles now take a seven-day rest before going for a fifth straight win against NU next Sunday.
“It’s a good start but we’re taking it one game at a time. Right now we look forward to NU and our game next Sunday. We will focus and concentrate on them now,” said Black.
The Blue Eagles lost to the Bulldogs in what was supposed to be a non-bearing contest at the close of last year’s elims. It was a very bitter loss that eventually kicked Ateneo out of the finals.
Black said it’s no longer on his mind.
“Well, this is 2008. I can’t live in the past or what happened in the past. Our goal is to make it to the Final Four then make it to the top two. Every win counts and NU is a new challenge to us.
“We play them (Bulldogs) on Sunday and we take that challenge when we get to it. I can’t live in the past. I’m a basketball coach so what’s ahead of me is what I look forward to,” he said.
In the other game, La Salle had a walk in the park, crushing National University, 93-69, for its third straight win after an opening-game loss to Ateneo. The Bulldogs remained the only winless team at 0-4.
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