It's not even a critical game, neither is it a statement. With a 10-1 win-loss card and a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals, the Blue Eagles could call it a day, whether they win or they lose. I wrote about this not because of intensity, but because of the fact that I missed writing about game reviews already, not being able to write during the past months because of senior year. And here I am, trying to freely squeeze the suppressed ink out of me.
So we proceed to the 12th game of the Blue Eagles, against the lowly but potent Adamson Falcons. They have been struggling to grab a win over Ateneo, not just for this season, but for 12 years already. And for this, they were ready. The backcourt guys: Canuday, Canada, et al., seemed to be serious with this game. Alvarez and Galinato badly want to break the losing streak, as they were reported to have trained extra hard for this game. Ateneo, on the other hand, seemed to have been the same as ever. After their huge win over NU, each one is in high spirits today, and with a twice-to-beat advantage and the joy of being at the top of the win-loss board, this game could look like another one that they could take.
First Quarter
With a quick Rabeh Al-Hussaini post shot, Ateneo grabbed the first basket of the game; however, Adamson's players were as pesky as ever. The Falcons gave their own blows to the Eagles, who struggled with a lot of turnovers in this first canto. Furthermore, they were able to give up second chance opportunities and let the Falcons get 8 straight easy points. With the team (nearly) falling apart, Al-Hussaini and Nico Salva were able to keep the game quite close.
For the first wave, it's 16-10, in favor of the Falcons.
Second Quarter
If you are cheering for the Big Blue Squad, chances are, you believe that we'll win while alternately changing channels between Studio 23 and GMA7 (just in time to see Brian Viloria, the Hawaiian Punch, win his match today). But of course, you would stay, most especially after Adamson swingman Leo Canuday hit a three and gave them a 9-point lead against the Eagles. Nuyles, Canuday, and Canada kept Adamson ahead, including one impressive rare backdoor play that allowed them to score one easy basket. It was still Adamson's game as they were able to force more turnovers and got more offensive rebounds (6-0 to be exact for this phase), and even stretched the lead to eleven points.
But the sluggish Eagles (who I think played their slowest offense ever in the course of my whole college life), were nudged a bit. Nico Salva sparked the comeback with a triple, and Nonoy Baclao which came together with a good Rabeh run (including an awesome quick post move) tried to push it all the way to get as close as possible.
The half ended 30-28, with Adamson ahead.
Third Quarter
Patience is the key to getting that satisfaction of getting a lead, or one could have ended up switching to BTV and watching the game 5 replay of the NBA Finals, with the Lakers winning against the Orlando Magic. After Nonoy Baclao hit the game-tying shot, the score now juggles between the two sides. While Canada hit side-by-side baskets, keeping the Falcons ahead by as much as 5. However, a 5-point Eric Salamat A-performance, consisting of a triple and a steal which he quickly converted to a lay up, gave back the Ateneo lead. Ryan Buenafe was also able to pick up the pace Salamat left off and answered the Adamson offense tit-for-tat.
Nearing the end of the game, Ateneo grabbed the lead with 46-45.
Fourth Quarter
With a close score, the final canto became exciting, even though the Eagles were still quite sluggish and playing in a nearly sleepy manner. Alvarez hit a shot that gave the lead back to Adamson (and I agree that the Adamson guards were the headaches of this game), while bad vibes were all around the Eagles, failing to initiate quick plays and being victimized by the 24-second timer.
But special thanks to Eric Salamat, who (perhaps in the whole game) kept the Eagles afloat. The most impressive thing that he had done today was what he always does the most: at a deadlock, he managed to steal the ball and score a quick basket, and keeping the Eagles above the Falcons, 53-51. He was then able to make crucial foul shots after Adamson went beyond the penalty. At the last minute of the game, Ateneo was ahead, 55-51.
Adamson, on the other hand, suffered the "asthma" of their season, and I refer to them breaking down during crucial last minute games, with no one to close the game in a fashionable manner. Well, we take for granted that their defense in the last minute was way too sloppy, giving up fouls and letting Ateneo score and get past them through foul shots. What it was: Bad.
Because what's worse is what they have already done in their crucial games. Why the hell were they feeding the ball to Leo Canuday, who wasn't really a good closer? What I have just observed was that during close games, they would dump the ball to him and let him score. With a tight Ateneo defense, it would seem improbable to recover when a team would execute the "quadrangle offense" (with one player scoring and four others watching him score). Haven't they thought that passing and moving the ball around could have worked better (even if it would not really work at all).
Worst: Desperation shots in the end. Continuous threes that won't come in. Making Rabeh flare up in anger because of their continuous fouling. Their continuous hacking of Eagles who were excellent in the charity stripe. Virtually, they gave the game up to a team that had been so sluggish at the start, and had just woken up that late.
And Ateneo, with a statement containing a Kirk long steal followed by an assist to Salamat, and Rabeh cementing the victory with 2 final points from the charity stripe, got this one, 61-52.
Up next: the revenge and the practice game.
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