Eagles cage Bulldogs, get a share of second spot

Manila, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles continued their hot streak and repeated against National University Bulldogs, 69-49, to get a share of the second spot on Thursday in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Eagles played tough defense as they held down the Bulldogs to an atrocious 29.6 percent shooting from the field and just seven assists to post their seventh win in nine games, tying idle Adamson Falcons behind league-leader Far Eastern University Tamaraws (8-1).

It was their fifth straight win since losing a 63-66 heartbreaker to arch-rival De La Salle Green Archers in the firs round. The rivals would meet for the second time this season on Sunday.

But today against the Bulldogs, the Eagles flaunted the talent and defense, which played crucial roles in their back-to-back title romp in the past two seasons.

“We played much better man-to-man defense this time around unlike in the first round where we have to resort to zone defense to beat them,” Ateneo coach Norman Black said.

The Eagles also handily beat the Bulldogs back in the first round, 82-65.

But it was much easier this time around as the Eagles zoomed to double digit spread as early in the second quarter and never looked back.

Ryan Buenafe played another impressive game leading the Eagles with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks.

“He’s picking up. If you have followed him since his high school years, you knew this already. He’s the best talented player in the UAAP if he is in shape. I’m glad he’s already lose weight and working on his game,” Black said of his prized forward.

Justin Chua and Emman Monfort added 10 and 9 points, respectively, to pick up the slack for Nico Salva and team captain Eric Salamat, who only combined for 13 points against Bulldogs’ choking defense.

Though Salamat shot only 3-of-9 from the field, the scrappy guard collected 5 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals that more than made up for his offensive woes.

The Bulldogs, whose Final Four hopes getting thinner, dropped to 3-6. Emmanuel Mbe wound up with 13 points and 12 rebounds to pace the losing squad.

The Scores:

ADMU 69 – Buenafe 14, Chua 10, Monfort 9, Salva 7, Dela Cruz 6, Salamat 6, Long 6, Golla 4, De Chavez 4, Tiongson 3, Escueta 0, Erram 0, Balmaceda 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.

NU 49 – Mbe 13, Ponferrada 12, Hermosisima 7, Treso 6, Baloran 3, Ludovice 2, Javillonar 2, Ignacio 2, Eriobu 2, Tungcul 0, Singh 0, Malanday 0, Magat 0.

Quarters: 20-13, 42-25, 53-36, 69-49.