By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 11, 2008
University of the East and Ateneo de Manila put on big shows yesterday to claim their second straight wins in the UAAP basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena.
The Warriors tamed the National University Bulldogs, 82-69, while the Blue Eagles soared past the Adamson University Falcons, 72-45.
The Warriors started strong but got snagged in the second quarter before regaining their focus in the third to thrash National University, 82-69.
James Martinez fired 16 points, nine of them in a third quarter UE splurge that transformed a 35-36 halftime deficit to a 65-49 bubble going into the final 10 minutes.
The 21-year-old management student was joined in the spree by Pari Llagas and Toto Bandaying, who had eight and seven points, respectively, in the second half.
The UE domination of the board, 48-39, as well as its defensive stop that forced 13 NU turnovers in the second half lifted the Warriors helped the Warriors to notch their second straight win.
"I think the turning point of the game was our aggressiveness in the third quarter," UE head coach Dindo Pumaren said. "We had a good start in the first quarter, but we relaxed in the middle part of the second quarter so I told them to be aggressive and get the control of the boards."
Marcy Arellano also shone for the Warriors with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting while Hans Thiele made 11 points and eight rebounds and Elmer Espiritu contributed 11 points and 12 boards.
"James and Toto hit some big shots," Pumaren said. "James has always been consistent while Toto recovered from a bad game last time, kaya binigyan ko siya ng opportunity para tumaas ang kumpiyansa niya."
Edwin Asoro led the Bulldogs with 19 points while Melvin Baloran had 17 points and seven rebounds and Raymund Aguilar contributed 12 points and 10 boards.
In the second game, the Blue Eagles never allowed the Falcons to fly side by side with them as after a slim 30-27 halftime lead, they exploded a 42-18 bomb for the runaway victory.
Chris Tiu scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half to emerge as the only Eagle with a double digit production in a balanced Ateneo scoring that saw rookie Ryan Buenafe, Nonoy Baclao and Eric Salamat contribute eight points apiece.
Our defense is starting to kick in," Ateneo head coach Norman Black gushed. "We wanted to become a good defensive team as the season goes along."
Paul Gonzalgo led the Falcons with 11 points not underscoring Adamson’s measly 17-for-74 production from the field. Allan Santos had seven points and 11 rebounds while big man Mike Galinato was held to four points and three rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
UE 82 - Martinez 16, Arellano 14, Thiele 11, Espiritu 11, Llagas 8, Bandaying 7, Lee 6, Zamar 5, Lingganay 4, Tagarda 0, Noble 0, Etrone 0, Reyes 0.
NU 69 - Asoro 19, Baloran 17, Aguilar 12, Ponferrada 4, Luy 4, Tungcul 3, Fabula 3, Galapon 3, Batac 2, Jahnke 2, Dela Cruz 0, Garcia 0, Catamora 0.
Quarters: 19-14, 35-36, 65-49, 82-69.
Second Game
ATENEO 72 - Tiu 12, Buenafe 8, Baclao 8, Salamat 8, Salva 7, Reyes 7, Nkemakolam 6, Austria 5, Sumalinog 3, Chua 2, Baldos 2, Escueta 2, Al-Hussaini 2, Burke 0, Long 0.
Adamson 45 - Gonzalgo 11, Santos 7, Olalia 5, Yambot 5, Galinato 4, Colina 3, Alvarez 3, Nuyles 2, Agustin 2, Gorospe 2, Lozada 0, Canada 0, Margallo 0.
Quarters: 14-12, 30-27, 44-37, 72-45.
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