Monfort shines as Eagles win 4th straigth

This time it was Eman Monfort who starred for two time defending champion Ateneo.

The 5foot7 Monfort spreheaded the Blue Eagles ' Key second quarter breakaway in cruising to a 75-59 win over the University Of The Philippines Figthing Maroons on Saturday in the 73rd UAAP Mens Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum

Ateneo again join Adamson from second to third spots with similar 6-2 slates behind Far Eastern University 71 records.

Monfort finshed with a carrer high with 23 points along with six rebounds,five assist and four steals in just 19 minutes that earned praised from coach Norman Black.

"Were having a hard time with UP playing zone defense luckily Eman was there to step up and hit those outside shot," Black said of Monfort,who shot 5 of 10 from beyond the arc.

"Thanks,coach, "Monfort said upon hearing the praises inside the press room.

Monforts heroics made him the latest Ateneo cager that posted an impressive single-game performance after Eric Salamat,Kirk Long and Justin Chua.

I think whats the important things is were little bit unpredictable this year as far as who stepped up and shoot the ball unlike the last two years wher you know the ball will go to Rabeh al Husaiini," Black said.

Ateneo lead 17-16 after the first period but Monfort went berserk in a 66 seconds span scoring all of the Blue Eagles points in a 9-0 blast for a commanding 26-16 edge.

I dont care if i scored a carrer high but the important thing is that we won," said the Iloilo native Monfort,'Our goal is make to the final four and also get to top two

The Blue Eagles enjoyed 37-29 halftime lead but UP bougth back to pull within 40-37 with 6;29 seconds remaining after Alvin Padilla three pointer.

That was the closest UP could get in 40 minutes match as Ateneo answered with a telling 12-0 run capped by Ryan Buenafe fastbreak by layup 2:27 left in the third.

Form there loyola based cagers grabbed a22 points lead at a garbage at a time.

Chua had 16 points and four rebounds,Ryan Buenafe registered a double double with 12 and 10 along with four assist while Salamat fell short of a similar 10-10 effort 9 points and nine assist

Rookie Art Dela Cruz and Frank Golla combined for 10 points and 13 rebounds to help solidfiy atene'os frontline despite third year forward Nico Salva playing limited minutes after injuring his finger in the first half.

Black chose not to let Salva play the reminder of the game despite the 6foot4 big men getting the green from ligth the doctors to return.

"They said that he can play in the second half but the way finger looked,I thinked he's definetly hurt and im not sure how long well be out."Black said on Salva condition

Lefty guard Martin Reyes had 15 points and seven rebound to lead UP's loosing cause while Woody Co and Mike Silungan and 13 and 11 markers

UP lost in a 12 straigth game dating back from the last four matches of season 72

The Maroons last win was an 83-78 decision over La Salle on August 22 2009 in a game that saw then Rookie Mike Reyes firing 20 points Reyes this time,went scorless in 12 minutes-JVP GMA.NEWS TV

Boxscores:

Ateneo 75:Monfort 23,Chua 16, Buenafe 12,Salamat 9,Dela Cruz 6, Golla 4
Long 3, Salva 2,

UP 59- Reyes Ma 15, Co 13, Silungan 11, Sison 10, Padilla 6,Saret 2,
Manuel 2,

Quarterscore 17-16, 37-29, 57-43, 75-59