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Aug 25

Ateneo still in the hunt for Final 4

by Roge Dublin
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The Ateneo Blue Eagles proved to be a tough nut to crack as they defeated the FEU Tamaraws with an 8-point lead, 83-75, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last August 25.

Ford Arao made 22 points while Chris Tiu dropped 19 points. Marnel Baracael and Ric Cawaling finished 21 and 13 points, respectively, for the Tamaraws.

Ateneo made an 8-0 run in the dying minutes of the first period, 24-17. But Cawaling nailed a three just before the buzzer, 24-20, in favor of Ateneo.

In the second quarter, the Blue Eagles led by 7 points after Raba Al-Hussaini nailed a basket with 4:45 minutes to play, 40-33.

But the Tamaraws ignited an 8-0 run that tied the ballgame at 41 with 2:38 minutes left in the 1st half. Tiu’s back to back FTs brought the lead back to Ateneo, 44-41.

Baracael made a three-point bomb with 1:01 minutes to go for a 2-point FEU lead, 46-44. But Kirk Long replied to put Ateneo back in the driver’s seat, 47-44, with 48.8 seconds before the halftime break.

The third quarter was a low scoring 10 minutes for both teams. Arao stepped up for Ateneo with 6 third quarter-points. The Blue Eagles finished off the quarter on top by four, 61-57.

In the final quarter, the Tamaraws began to lose momentum as Tiu and Arao teamed up for the blue shirts acquiring 8 points apiece. The Blue Eagles sparked a 10-0 run with 4:02 minutes to play that pushed Ateneo’s the lead to ten, 75-65.

The Free Throws tallied 26 out of 38 attempts for Ateneo, making it the highest percentage attempted so far this season.

“We we’re just lucky to have made outside shots,�? admitted Coach Norman Black marking Tiu’s performance.

The Ateneo Mentor added they are looking forward to meeting La Salle again in one of their remaining games.

Individual scores:

Ateneo-83

Arao-22, Tiu-19, Long-10, Laterre-9, Salamat-7, Reyes-5, Al-Hussaini-5, Monfort-4, Escueta-2, Austria-0, Nkemakolam-0, Baclao-0.

FEU-75

Baracael-21, Cawaling-13, Sanga-8, Fernandez-7, Cervantes-6, Barroca-6, Adolfo-5, Tanuan-2, Abaring-2, Ramos-2, Knuttel-2, Cabagnot-1, Alisbo-0, Reyes-0.

Quarter Scores: 24-20, 47-46, 61-57, 83-75.

Deadlocks: 6, Leadchanges:16