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ANOTHER MVP-like performance for Rabeh Al-Hussaini equals another Final Four appearance for Ateneo de Manila University.

The Blue Eagles banked on yet another solid game from their premier center, who powered his team past the Adamson Falcons, 78-59, in the 71st UAAP men’s basketball tournament last August 17, 2008 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The 6’7� Al-Hussaini came away with 29 points and six rebounds in what proved to be a scintillating performance by the 4th year cager out of Philippine Christian University. He unloaded 14 points in the first period alone as the Blue Eagles took control of the game and booked their ninth win in 10 games.

With the win, Ateneo is assured of a Final Four spot, its 10th straight since 1999 when Joe Lipa ran the show from the sidelines for the Katipunan outfit, which featured the likes of Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales.

But for Ateneo coach Norman Black, the Blue Eagles have yet to land at their final destination.

“I’m happy about making it to the Final Four. But our goal is to make it to the top two. So, it does not stop here. We have to keep on winning, keep on playing hard, and keep on respecting our opponents because we have no time to relax right now. This is far from over. It’s a long road,â€? said Black.

Eric Salamat, who played more minutes in lieu of Chris Tiu and his sub-par showing, tallied 17 points and a season-high six steals while Nonoy Baclao and Jai Reyes had six markers apiece.

Coach Leo Austria’s wards never had a taste of the lead in the game, threatening only at one point in the third quarter when they managed to bring the lead down to six, 39-45. Ateneo quelled the threat, however, by going on a 10-0 blast to extend its lead to 16.

Ateneo’s win is also its 23rd straight against Adamson – the longest active winning streak in the UAAP. The Falcons’ last victory against the Eagles – a 54-52 nailbiter – was on September 18, 1997 at the Ninoy Aquino Coliseum.

The Blue and White shot a remarkable 51.4 percent from the field, their highest this season, and scored a season-high 25 fastbreak points.

Jerick Cañada topscored with 12 points for the Falcons, who dropped to the bottom of the heap along with the National University Bulldogs and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with similar 2-8 slates. All three teams are no longer in the running for a semifinal birth.

The scores:

Ateneo 78 – Al-Hussaini 29, Salamat 17, Baclao 6, Reyes 6, Buenafe 5, Salva 4, Long 3, Chua 2, Escueta 2, Gonzaga 2, Tiu 2, Burke 0, Baldos 0.

Adamson 59 – Cañada 12, Colina 11, Nuyles 10, Gorospe 7, Alvarez 6, Agustin 4, Gonzalgo 4, Santos 3, Yambot 2, Ruiz 0, Peñalosa 0, Lapitan 0, Galinato 0, Olalia 0, Margallo 0.

Quarter scores: 22-11; 41-31; 59-48; 78-59

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