MANILA, Philippines – For a while, it was like 2009 all over again for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
Fortunately for the Blue Eagle faithful, Nico Salva came to the rescue.
The graduating forward erupted in a crucial third quarter run that helped the four-time defending champions turn the tides around to survive the hard-fighting University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 76-70, in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Maroons got off to a quick start, bringing back memories of their stirring win over their Katipunan rival three years ago.
“I remember that loss like it was yesterday,” Coach Norman Black admitted after the game.
UP jumped the gun on Ateneo, with Cris Ball scoring four quick points in a 6-2 start before a three-pointer from rookie Henry Asilum put them up, 15-8, less than five minutes left in the opening quarter.
Reserve center Justin Chua sparked a mini comeback for the Eagles, his five straight points and a basket by Salva tying the match at 23-all in the second period.
However, the Maroons uncorked a 17-9 run behind Ball, Asilum and Jelo Montecastro to carry a 40-32 lead at the half.
Ateneo then started its climb back in the third as a completed and-1 play by Greg Slaughter shoved them to 43-39, with a little over 2 minutes left in the quarter.
UP tried to fend off the Eagles’ rally, but Salva responded with seven consecutive points sandwiched by a Mike Gamboa triple to tie the game once more, 50-all.
Slaughter, who was held to 2 points in the first half, also added to Ateneo’s attack as the Katipunan-based squad ended the third, 61-57.
The Maroons could not recover from the setback, with the Eagles building a 74-64 advantage late in the game, cushion enough to hand them their fourth win in five outings.
Making a strong case for the MVP plum this early, Salva finished with 21 points and five rebounds and was perfect (9-of-9) from the free throw line.
The seven-foot Slaughter, meanwhile, posted 13 points, nine boards and three blocks while Kiefer Ravena and Oping Sumalinog combined for 21 points and 11 rebounds.
“Every game that we play, we’re gonna get the other team’s best effort,” Black said. “What was important for us today was to settle down and played what we do best.”
Ateneo sorely missed the services of starting playmaker Juami Tiongson, who missed the game due to a twisted ankle.
Mark Lopez endured a bad shooting day and paced UP with 13 points, seven boards and 2 steals as the Diliman-based squad suffered their fourth straight setback.
Ball and Alvin Padilla ended up with 11 points each, with the American also pulling down seven boards. -Rappler.com
ADMU, 76– Salva 21, Slaughter 13, Ravena 11, Sumalinog 10, Chua 7, Gonzaga 5, Buenafe 5, Erram 2, Elorde 2, Pessumal 0, Capacio 0
UP, 70– Lopez 13, Ball 11, Padilla 11, Gamboa 10, Soyud 9, Montecastro 6, Asilum 6, Silungan 2, Romero 2, Mbah 0, Manuel 0, Hipolito 0, Gallarza 0
Quarters: 17-19, 32-40, 61-57, 76-70
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