By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - September 22, 2008
Rabeh Al-Hussaini made a strong case for the coveted Most Valuable Player award, pouring 31 points to lead Ateneo de Manila to a comfortable 69-61 victory over defending champion La Salle last night at the start of the UAAP Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Nearly 23,000 watched the third meeting between the college basketball’s storied rivals and like the previous two matches, the Eagles came out on top.
Al-Hussaini, who is in a tight race with UST’s Jervy Cruz for the MVP plum, went on a tear by scoring 20 points in the second half while adding nine rebounds.
The 6-7 Al-Hussaini got plenty of help from prized rookie Ryan Buenafe who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Al-Hussaini and Buenafe made up for skipper Chris Tiu’s forgettable twopoint performance.
The Blue Eagles can wrap their fourth UAAP championship with a victory on Thursday.
The third match if necessary is set on Sunday.
Black heaped praises on his starting center.
"He was exceptional, there isn’t any question for the award because I think he answered it today," said Black who obviously lost a significant amount of voice since practice last Saturday. "I just cautioned him and his teammates that our business is unfinished, it is only one game and it needs two games to win and it would mean for Rabeh to win the championship."
Al-Hussaini said the MVP title is the least of his concern.
"Wala akong pakialam kung manalo ako ng award pero importante yung singsing," said Al-Hussaini, who shot 14-of-26 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in 36 minutes.
Buenafe, a former star player from the San Sebastian and a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, scored all of his points in the first half as Tiu rode the bench due to foul trouble.
"Foul trouble yung mga veterans so kailangan magstep-up," Buenafe said. "Sabi nga sa akin ni coach kahapon kailangan parang high school din sa akin parang ako yung veteran."
JV Casio led La Salle with 20 points despite an 8-of24 shooting.
The Archers shot only 29 percent from the field as against the Archers’ 42 percent clip.
Reserve forward Rico Maierhofer added 17 points and 16 rebounds but spent most of the game on the bench because of foul trouble.
Foul trouble kept some of La Salle’s key players on the bench. James Mangahas committed two quick fouls early in the first quarter to finish with just five points.
Ateneo entered the court wearing a black t-shirt that contains an A-24 word in reference to Black’s jersey number.
Black, making his fourth stint as Ateneo coach, is still looking for his first UAAP title to add to his rich collection of PBA crowns.
The Eagles led in the early goings before the Archers went on a 13-5 run in the second quarter capped by Casio’s three-point play off Yuri Escueta for a 29-26 lead with 2:58 left in the period.
But the Blue Eagles countered with 10 straight points to take a 36-29 advantage at the half as Jai Reyes, who finished with 12 points, uncorked a three-pointer before time expired.
Nonoy Baclao, the coleader in blocks this season, tied a season high by swatting seven shots.
La Salle’s biggest opportunity of a late comeback came with 8:19 to go in the game as Bader Malabes scored on a layup for a 5549 deficit.
But Al-Hussaini converted six straight points as the Blue Eagles pulled away, 65-52, with 3:25 on the clock.
Ateneo recorded a seasonhigh 17 second chance points compared to only two for the Archers.
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