Blue reigns in Game 1
Eagles shame out-of-sync Tams
By Danielle Nakpil and Myke Miravite, Ignite and Ignite Academic Workshops :)
The Eagle soared high above the mud paddling Tamaraws.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles dismantled the overconfident yet sluggish Far Eastern University Tamaraws in an easy 72-49 trouncing in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball finals Saturday afternoon.
The Katipunan five sizzled early, dropping a 17-2 bomb in the first quarter that buried the FEU squad in a 26-8 lead in which they weren’t able to recover.
Having a flawless 14-0 slate in the elims, the Morayta-based squad seemed too confident of their previous performances and lost focus on the game that really mattered, missing 25 of 32 firings in the first half.
“We just did a good job preparing,” said Coach Norman Black who is eyeing for his 3rd straight championship with Ateneo. “We're happy. We're excited. But we're not overconfident.”
After FEU won in their last two meetings in the elims, the Blue Eagles bounced back as they scored 15 fastbreak points while forcing the Tamaraws to turn the ball over 13 times.
“It wasn't just me. I think I just led them but it was actually a total team effort,” said Kirk Long who sported a golden hairdo. “It was all worth the preparation.”
The determined Ateneo squad leaned on Long’s all around game, finishing with 14 markers, five boards and two steals while Eman Monfort who was earlier awarded as this year’s Most Improved Player added nine points, seven rebounds and four assists to tame the crown hungry Tamaraws.
But it was the leech like defense that made wonders for the Loyola based cagers.
The lanky 6’5 center JP Erram, who averages minimal minutes on the court, shone this time for the Blue Eagles as he led his team in the defensive end, posting 5 blocks coming with 4 points and 3 rebounds.
"Matagal na naming pina-practice yun (containing FEU's bigs)," Erram said. "Ginawa ko lang yung role ko kase kailangang mag step up."
The dynamic duo of Season’s MVP Ryan Roose Garcia and Rookie of the Year Terrence Romeo failed to carry FEU with barely 11 and 10 points as the rest of the team scored a woeful 27% from the floor.
"I am embarrassed," said Athletic Director Mark Molina of his team's showing. "We were completely outplayed. We let everybody down. We surrendered."
The FEU Tamaraws are looking forward for sweet revenge on Game 2 of their best of three finals showdown with the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.
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