The Ateneo Blue Eaglets have completed their sweep of the elimination round by trouncing a hapless NU Bullpup squad, 87-61. It was pretty much easy pickings for the boys in blue as they practically lead the whole game right from the get go and they never looked back.
7 1/2 minute stop
From the start, you can see that NU was pretty pumped, as they congregated in center court to for some pre-game rallying for the battle ahead. However, the Eaglets were equally ready to meet them head on. You can see from the warm ups that Ateneo was confident coming into today's game. And this confidence translated into a 19-2 run spearheaded by Kiefer Ravena's 11 points (he scored 13 in the first quarter alone) to start of the first quarter. In this period, the Eaglets defense limited NU to two freethrows and zero field goals. NU's first basket came somewhere at the 2:30 mark, and it seemed to have gotten the Bullpup offense going as they scored another 8 as compared to Ateneo's 4 points to bring the lead down to 11, 23-12 in favor of the Eaglets.
Kiefer Ravena stretches for a lay in. Kiefer scored 13 of his 24 points in the first quarter to get the Eaglet offense going.(Blue Eaglets vs NU - Filoil Arena, August 31, 2010)
four-threes
NU seemed to be getting their offensive momentum and confidence in the second as they were able to keep at pace with the Eaglets in the early stages. However, it proved that it wasn't enough as the outside sniping of junior Josh Gadia kept the Bullpups at bay. Even though he was blocked a couple of times, Josh made 4 three pointers with one even extending the Eaglet lead to 16, the biggest in the half. The quarter ended with a highlight Kiefer Ravena reverse over two NU defenders. At half time, Ateneo was still ahead 42-26.
Josh Gadia hits a three pointer. Josh made four three pointers in the second quarter to keep the NU Bullpups at bay.(Blue Eaglets vs NU - Filoil Arena, August 31, 2010)
Kiefer Ravena with a spectacular reverse lay-up towards the end of the first half.(Blue Eaglets vs NU - Filoil Arena, August 31, 2010)
The third quarter was what finally broke the backs of NU. They scored first with an open lay up by one of the Bullpups. Then Ateneo's big men went to work. Senior Paolo Romero and Freshman Jay Javelosa scored a combined 14 points to lead a 16-5 run by the Eaglets increasing their lead, ADMU 58 NU 31. However, Ateneo wasn't done yet, as Kiefer and Lambert Tenorio continued the onslaught with another 8 points highlighted by a Tenorio three pointer giving Ateneo its largest lead at 33. NU would be able to trim down the lead to 27, but the damage had already been done, Ateneo up 69-42.
Paolo Romero scores off a lay up. Paolo together with freshman Jay Javelosa scored a combined 14 points to help the Eaglets build a 27-point lead midway through the 3rd quarter.(Blue Eaglets vs NU - Filoil Arena, August 31, 2010)
Jay Javelosa steals the ball from NU at mid-court and takes it straight to the basket.(Blue Eaglets vs NU - Filoil Arena, August 31, 2010)
14-0 sweep
The final quarter started with Kiefer Ravena trading a couple of baskets with NU players. With the game practically in the bag, Coach Jamike started playing his 2nd and 3rd teams. Even with second stringers playing, Ateneo was still able to keep the lead up. The game ended 87-61, and the 14-0 sweep was complete.
The Eaglets now have a free pass to the finals, a very familiar place for them as they have been there each year since 2006. It will be interesting to watch who will complete the Final Four cast. A playoff is already in the offing for 4th place as FEU defeated DLSZ earlier to give them identical 7-7 records. UST is in a must win on Thursday against Adamson in order to tie NU at 2nd place. If UST wins, another playoff between them and NU will be played to determine who has twice to beat. Three of the four teams mentioned will have to go through a step-ladder format where the loser of the possible UST-NU match-up will face the winner of the FEU-DLSZ playoff.
A lot more basketball will be played in the Juniors Division. For the Blue Eaglets, it's a matter of keeping their momentum up and keeping the rust out. It may be a week or two before they can hit the hard court anew. Two more wins to complete the ultimate sweep. Two more wins to the three-peat.
One Big Fight Eaglets!
No comments:
Post a Comment