Eagles formation puts Archers off target
Ateneo gave rival La Salle a taste of its own version of “mayhem” defense in the dying seconds to set the tone for a 76-75 thriller last night in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
Third-year guard Matt Nieto stood tall in a big defensive play that saved the day for the Blue Eagles, forcing the Archers to a costly turnover off the inbounds that led to his own game-winning charities with 3.9 seconds left.
The Eagles then clamped down on Ben Mbala in La Salle’s final offensive to secure their seventh straight victory and a sweep of the first round in front of a 14,717-strong crowd.
“Iba talaga pag Ateneo-La Salle. Makikita mo, walang bumibigay, walang gustong magpatalo; binibigay ang lahat sa loob ng court (Ateneo-La Salle games really bring out the best in both teams; nobody wants to lose, everyone goes all out),” said Nieto, who topscored with 21 points plus two steals and two assists.
With La Salle protecting a 75-74 lead and setting out to extend it on a fresh offensive, Nieto hounded Andrei Caracut and forced inbounder Kib Montalbo to issue a dangerous lob pass. Nieto, getting defensive help from Gian Mamuyac, managed to tap it and win possession and eventually earned a trip to the line on a foul by Montalbo.
“The players followed the defensive scheme coach Tab (Baldwin) wanted us to do and we came up with the steal. That stop led us to that opportunity where Matt sank those two freethrows for the win,” said AdMU assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
“I shot it like those were normal free throws and it paid off,” said Nieto, who made three of his four charities overall.
The Eagles acquitted themselves against the Archers’ punishing press, limiting their turnovers to a respectable 11. On the other end, they forced DLSU to 20 errors.
Ateneo also held Mbala down to only 18 markers on 8-of-18 clip.
“It took a lot of energy and focus and discipline on our players’ part in trying to contain Ben. They really stuck to what we wanted to do defensively against him and it paid off,” said Arespacochaga.
The Archers, who were led by Ricci Rivero’s 19, slipped to 5-2 for second spot.
Earlier, Matt Salem broke out of an offensive slump and sizzled with 21 points spiked by five triples as National U arrested a three-game skid with a 77-70 victory over slumping University of the Philippines.
After averaging six points in their first six outings, Salem rediscovered his touch and made seven of his 15 tries on the floor, adding 10 rebounds along the way and capping his heroics with a clutch trey that gave the Bulldogs a 75-70 cushion 45 seconds left. Import Issa Gaye also provided a solid presence for NU, posting 13 markers, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals to back up Salem. “I commend the fighting heart of Gaye and Salem. They were big factors in today’s victory,” said NU coach Jamike Jarin. “UP fought really hard and we’re both in a situation where we needed to win so we’re just happy that after 40 minutes of basketball, we came out lucky and got the game.” The Bulldogs finished the first round at fifth spot with 4-3, the same record as the Maroons, who have lost their last three assignments after that massive 98-87 upset of La Salle last month.
The Maroons were hurt by the exit of starting guard Jun Manzo, who had a bad fall in the third quarter.