Eagles bag semis incentive

By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - August 31, 2008

Ateneo kept its fiery form in the second round last night as the Eagles waylaid the National University Bulldogs, 83-58, to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals of the UAAP basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Most Valuable Player candidates Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Chris Tiu anchored the Eagles to their 12th win in 13 starts which gave the Katipunan-based squad to the top for the first time since the 2006 season, when they eventually lost to UST in the Finals.

Al-Hussaini led the Loyola-based squad with 20 points and six rebounds while Tiu made 16 points, six rebounds and three assists as he shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Earlier, Far Eastern University bolstered its own bid for the second twice-to-beat incentive with a 71-70 suqeaker over the University of the Philippines.

It was the 10th win against three losses for the Tamaraws who now occupy the second spoy in the eight-team league.

"Now the hard part begins," Ateneo coach Norman Black said. "At least we were able to accomplish our goal up to this point and we’ll just have to sit back and find out who are we going to play in the Final Four."

With the number one seeding in the semis, the Blue Eagles will meet either University of the East or the University of Santo Tomas. The Red Warriors, who has a 7-5 record, hold a two-game lead over the 5-7 Growling Tigers as both teams meet today.

Edwin Asoro was the lone double-digit scorer for NU with 19 points along with 13 rebounds and four blocks as the Bulldogs suffered their fifth straight defeat to fall to 2-11.

The Bulldogs never came close after Jahnke converted a three-pointer for a 32-31 lead as Tiu hit nine consecutive points while Jai Reyes and Eric Salamat each made a three in the homestretch as Ateneo grabbed a huge 49-37 halftime lead.

In the first game, the Tamaraws trailed the Fighting Maroons, 51-53, going ito the final 10 minutes where Mac Baracael pumped in six points, including the go-ahead triple that broke a 56-56 deadlock, 7:38 left.

In victory, FEU coach Glenn Capacio expressed his disgust with his players.

"Siguro hindi na ako nagkukulang to motivate them," said Capacio. "May tendency sila kapag alam nila ang kalaban na wala na sa running sa Final Four, nagre-relax sila."

"Kung ikaw ang nasa side ng UP, nothing to lose so ibibigay nila yung best nila, kami dapat may killer instinct kami kasi going to the Final Four hindi ka pwedeng magrelax," he added.

Baracael, playing in his second game since being shot by a still unknown assailant last month, finished with nine points.

"Bibigyan ko siya (Baracael) ng passing grade, siguro nasa 75-80 percent na siya ngayon," Capacio said. "Talagang kailangan namin siya para makatulong sa mga big men ko kaya pinipilit ko siyang masanay sa endgame kasi siya ang leader at pinaka-senior sa team."

Aldrech Ramos shared top scoring honors with Mark Barroca with 12 points, to go along with his six rebounds. JR Cawaling, last year’s Rookie of the Year, made five of his seven points in the fourth period while grabbing seven rebounds and dished out four assists off the bench.