WINS are going to be hard to come by for a rebuilding team like Ateneo.
But what matters most is that they're laying down the groundwork for what they envision will be a brighter Blue Eagle future.
Jared Bahay and Kristian Porter made sure that the foundation is rightfully placed for Ateneo, hacking out a 70-68 escape from National University on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blue-chip Eagles
The rookies were instrumental in the Blue Eagles claiming win No. 2 in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament, taking charge in the fourth quarter to snuff out the Bulldogs' hopes for a comeback.
Bahay dropped five of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, together with six rebounds and five assists, while Porter uncorked 14 points and 10 boards, but saved his biggest play with a block on Jake Figueroa in the clutch.
NU, however, refused to give up, as Jolo Manansala’s three sliced the lead down to one, 69-68. Ian Espinosa created a bit of breathing room with a split from the line to make it a two-point game for Ateneo, as Manansala could not make good on another good look from deep as time expired.
Chris Koon also collected 10 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, as Andrew Bongo scored all of his nine points from rainbow country to snap a three-game losing skid for the boys from Katipunan.
It also levelled the standing between the two teams as they sport identical 2-6 win-loss cards.
The Bulldogs mounted a late rally behind Steve Nash Enriquez, recovering from a 60-51 deficit to get to within one, 62-61, with 3:31 remaining and set up the frantic finish.
Ultimately, however, the Blue Eagles did just enough, much to the relief of coach Tab Baldwin.
“It was enough to get us to the finish line and it’s very, very satisfying. It’s been a tough first half of the season, but we were better tonight, for sure,” he said.
Figueroa topped NU with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, as Manansala got 12 and seven in another heartbreaker for the Jhocson-based squad.
The Scores:
ATENEO 70 – Porter 14, Bahay 12, Koon 10, Bongo 9, Tuano 8, Quitevis 5, Edu 5, Espinosa 4, Espina 2, Balogun 1, Gamber 0, Reyes 0.
NU 68 – Figueroa 15, Manansala 12, Enriquez 8, Jumamoy 8, Yu 6, Palacielo 5, Padrones 4, Santiago 4, Garcia 3, Francisco 3, Tulabut 0, Perciano 0, Lim 0, Dela Cruz 0, Parks 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 35-31, 50-45, 70-68.
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