Eagles send dream series to a climax

It just couldn’t get any better than this.

Ateneo, behind the heroics of Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Magnum Membrere, turned its dream showdown against bitter rival La Salle into a real one last night by posting a 76-72 victory that forged a decisive Game Three for this year’s UAAP Men’s basketball crown at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Well, it’s nice to reach Game Three," said Ateneo coach Joe Lipa as he groped for words that could best describe his emotions shortly after the Eagles, playing what could have been their final game of the season, pulled off the thrilling victory before a wild and wooly crowd that filled the Big Dome to the rafters.

Game Three of the title series, the first between the two most popular collegiate squads in 13 years, is tentatively set next Thursday, making the series probably the longest one ever to be decided in the UAAP. Game One was played also last Thursday with the Archers prevailing, 74-68, to move a win away from a fourth straight crown under coach Franz Pumaren.

"I don’t even know when Game Three will be played," added Lipa, who previously announced that this will be his final year with Ateneo. "The boys played well because they all know that they are fighting for something that’s right. I didn’t even have to motivate them."

Pumaren, for his part, took the loss in stride, saying his team, which was practically bed-ridden since a mysterious virus hit them during their practice last Sunday at La Salle Greenhills, simply failed to execute their plan.

"We failed to run what was supposed to. But there’s still another game and I won’t use the (virus) incident as an excuse. And I won’t use the referees as an excuse, too. Making excuses is not my cup of tea," said Pumaren, bidding to become the first coach to lead the Archers to their fourth straight crown.

"Pero kung healthy ang players ko, it could have been different. And Ateneo can check hospital records at the Manila Sanitarium for them to see that my players were confined there last Tuesday. Are they saying that we are sinungaling? Did they look healthy during the game?" Pumaren asked.

During the post-game interview, Pumaren also mentioned that Ateneo just requested the UAAP to reschedule Game Three on Oct. 16 since the coming week will be their exam week. He also refused to make anything out of Lipa’s alleged refusal to shake his hand after the game. "I approached him and offered my hand but he did not take it. Okay lang," he said.

Villanueva topscored for the Eagles with 22 points, including nine in 14-2 run that gave them a 70-66 lead with only three minutes remaining in the contest. He took it strong to the hoop in the entire game and was rewarded with 14 free throws, making 12 of them.

Alvarez, crowned MVP before the game, did his share trying to contain La Salle’s Ren Ren Ritualo, who could do no better than 16 points as he went poorly from the field (6-of-18). Membrere, on the other hand, fired the game’s biggest basket, a triple from the left wing to break the sixth and last deadlock of the game and gave Ateneo a 75-72 lead, time down to 53 seconds. Larry Fonacier then ensured the win with a crucial free throw, 76-72.

"It was expected of Magnum because he’s one clutch hitter while Enrico provided the muscle inside. He was so focused in the game," added Lipa, who assailed officiating in Game One, prompting the UAAP to suspend La Salle’s Carlo Sharma due to rough play. "Malaking bagay siya. He’s what? Six-foot-seven and 230 pounds? Di ba malaking bagay iyon?"