Eagles repeat over Tigers, enter PCCL Final Four
By Alder T. Almo
04 December 2009 08:40 PM
Manila – Déjà vu.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles used their championship experience to turn back the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, 81-72, in the 2009 PCCL Elite Eight at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Eagles turned the heat in the second half to repeat over the Tigers, whom they easily trounced in the UAAP Final Four.
With the UAAP Finals MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini and UAAP Season MVP Dylan Ababou missing this game for Ateneo and UST, respectively, due to a conflict with the Smart Gilas-RP Team schedule, both teams relied on their future stars.
American guard Kirk Long and big man Justin Chua, who is tipped to fill in Al-Hussaini’s shoes, combined for 34 points, including nine in the searing fourth period where the Eagles broke from a tight 58-56 lead.
Long hit 19 points while Chua had a double-double to the tune of 15 markers and 14 boards.
UST tried to stage a comeback behind Bantay Bata All-Star Slam Dunk champion Allein Maliksi, who poured in 10 of his career-high 25 points in the payoff period, but fell short.
It was a sorry loss for the Tigers, who led in the first half, with the UAAP Rookie of the Year Jeric Teng putting up 10 points.
The Eagles, however, put on the clamps on Teng and Khasim Mirza in the second half.
Teng was held scoreless while Mirza only hit a single three-pointer in the final two periods. Mirza, who played his last game as a UST Growling Tiger, wound up with only nine points, a far cry from his 23-point and 11-rebound performance against the JRU Heavy Bombers in Ormoc City.
The Eagles, back-to-back champions in the UAAP, moved on to the Final Four and will meet NCAA runner up and former three-time champion San Beda Red Lions in the Final Four on Monday.
The Scores:
ADMU 81 – Long 19, Chua 15, Salamat 13, Sumalinog 10, Baclao 9, Gonzaga 8, Salva 4, Reyes 3, Monfort 0.
UST 72 – Maliksi 25, Bautista 12, Teng 10, Mirza 9, Mariano 5, Fortuna 5, Afuang 4, Camus 2, Marquez 0, Felix 0.
Quarters: 19-23, 38-42, 58-56, 81-72.
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