'Bald' Eagles barge into win column at expense of Falcons
Five-time defending champion Ateneo can now breathe a big sigh of relief.
Sporting shaven heads, the Blue Eagles banked on a strong second half to finally nailed that elusive first victory in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage wars courtesy of a 71-59 decision against host Adamson Sunday night at the MOA Arena.
Poi Erram stood tallest in the decisive run in the third canto, pumping in 10 of his 12 points, while Juami Tiongson contributed a team-high 15 markers for Ateneo, which snapped an alarming three-game losing streak in style.
Jericho Cruz tallied 21 points but the Falcons clearly missed the usual dominant form of Cameroon import Ingrid Sewa, who was visibly hurt following a rebounding battle in the opening canto and was held down to just four points and 10 rebounds.
Adamson dropped to 2-2 alongside idle La Salle.
Also flourishing for Ateneo’s 32nd win in the last 33 meetings with Adamson was forward Ryan Buenafe, who came up an assist short of a triple double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Main Man: Eager to help his team stop a three-game slide, Poi Erram stood tallest among the Blue Eagles.
Still trying to recover his usual form from a knee injury, the 6-foot-7 center flourished in the third, pouncing on the absence of Sewa due to a hurting shoulder while scattering 10 of his 12 big markers, mostly on point-blank attempts.
Honorable Mention: With star guard Kiefer Ravena still slowed down by a foot injury, Tiongson proved he’s up to the big challenge.
The fifth-year guard knocked in 15 points including two triples on top of eight rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Game Turning Point: When Adamson coach Leo Austria pulled out Sewa at the 8:21 mark in the third, Ateneo took advantage and Erram, using his 6-foot-7 height to the hilt, benefited the most, cleaning up the glass after another to ignite the team’s decisive breakaway.
Comfortably ahead 57-47, the Blue Eagles kept going with another 13-8 exchange capped by Nico Elorde’s two freebies for a 70-55 lead, time down to just 2:43.
They Said It:
Ateneo coach Bo Perasol: “More than anything else, this is a relief. This is something like a big break for us. This is an answered prayer for us.”
Poi Erram: “At this point, I’m not thinking about the injury. I just have to play and give my best. Gusto ko pakita sa kanila na hindi ako naapektuhan sa injury.”
Ateneo (71) - Tiongson 15, Erram 12, Buenafe 11, Newsome 10, Golla 6, Ravena 4, Capacio 4, Pessumal 3, Tolentino 2, Lim 2, Elorde 2, Enriquez 0
Adamson (59) - Cruz 21, Cabrera 14, Brondial 8, Sewa 4, Inigo 3, Agustin 3, Rios 2, Monteclaro 2, Abrigo 2, Trollano 0, Petilos 0 Julkipli 0
Quarterscores: 13-16, 32-28, 57-47, 71-59
