Ateneo routs NU, warms up for Round 2 clash with La Salle

Two-time defending champion Ateneo showed its readiness in its second-round encounter with fierce rival La Salle on Sunday in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles, on Thursday, used a 69-49 thrashing of the National U Bulldogs as a warm-up match before their expected blockbuster showdown with the Green Archers. Riding on the crest of a five-game winning streak, the Katipunan-based squad will have vengeance in mind when it takes on the Green Archers, who also won their last two games. Ryan Buenafe again showed why he deserves to get extended minutes from coach Norman Black as the veteran swing man registered 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and two blocks for the Blue Eagles. “If he gets in better shape and shed a few pounds, he’ll be better," said Black, who also credited the former NCAA juniors Most Valuable Player with his defense. A month ago, Black rued the former San Sebastian Staglet for his defense after Ateneo’s heartbreaking 66-63 loss to La Salle. Buenafe saw limited playing time and was benched in the dying minutes of that game. “That’s why (Buenafe’s) minutes are going up. The fact that’s he playing more minutes means that he’s playing better individual defense," he added. Ateneo’s 20-point margin was the biggest lead in this lopsided contest and it happened four times as NU failed to play the same level it showed during their first round encounter where the Bulldogs stormed to a 14-point lead in the second quarter only to lose steam and suffer an 82-65 setback against the Eagles last July 31. But on Thursday, the Blue Eagles leaned on their defense and forced their opponents 23 turnovers and a dismal 30-percent field goal shooting (16-of-54). “We’ll that’s (defense) really our calling card," said Black. “We wanted to come out and play defense each game. That’s the reason why we were successful in the last few years and that’s what we are concentrating in practice." Center Justin Chua had 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks while point guard Eman Monfort scored nine. Nico Salva and Art Dela Cruz combined for 13 markers. Guard Eric Salamat finished with six points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in 24 minutes coming off the bench. Cameroonian big man Emmanuel Mbe led NU with 13 points and 12 rebounds while Jewel Ponferrada added 12 markers and seven caroms. The Bulldogs slipped to 3-6, tying idle University of Santo Tomas in fifth to sixth spots. The loss put them three games behind La Salle for the last Final Four spot. – RCJ/JVP, GMANews.TV