4 points from UAAP men’s hoops weekend

MANILA, Philippines — This weekend’s result saw Ateneo and La Salle solidify their position to take the first two Final Four twice-to-beat slots. Meanwhile, the middle of the pack got somewhat clogged as UE made a case for itself as a wild card. UST well, is out, and will just hope to rescue some pride for itself. But a key injury to Jordan Sta. Ana is damaging in more ways than one because he has been their best player all season long.

 

Nevertheless, here are four points to take from the past weekend’s matches

UE won with Alvin Pasaol on the bench (he didn’t play the entire fourth period), but other players stepping up big time. They include Nick Abanto, Mark Olayon, Mark Maloles and Will Bartolome, who combined for 21 points in the final frame. Impressive. 

 

Just like the Red Warriors’ win over UST, they did it against an NU team with an African center. They played flat out great defense on the Bulldogs, who couldn’t buy a basket even if their lives depended on it. The only ones who battled until game’s end were center Issa Gaye (20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal), who looked massively tuckered out by match’s end, and JJ Alejandro and Matt Salem, who scored only 7 points but grabbed 13 rebounds. 

 

The Red Warriors came out with a lot of energy and when they led going into the fourth period, they could smell blood in the water. NU failed to match their heart and hustle. By match’s end, UE had a 20-9 difference in second chance points.

 

The upside for NU is Gaye is getting better. They just need the Filipino players to step up.

 

Now, UE is just playing to finish strong while NU is sinking fast.But they aren’t the only ones.

There were two blowout losses for reeling teams this past Sunday.

 

First, FEU crushed UST, 96-70, then La Salle also pounded UP with a 23-point win, 85-62.

 

With Steve Akomo in sick bay and Jordan Sta. Ana hurting his shoulder, UST didn’t have much in the tank as they got walloped by FEU. How much worse can it get for this 0-9 team? They still hope to pick up a win and not face the ignominy of a winless campaign.

 

As for UP, on the heels of an unsatisfying win against UST comes a blowout. You know La Salle wanted this match up and they never let up. They relentlessly pounded on the Fighting Maroons. They wanted to send a message that the first round win by UP was nothing more than a fluke. 

A portent of things to come? Mbala was assigned to shadow and shackle UP’s chief gunner Paul Desiderio, who shot a miserable 15 percent from the field. And that didn’t tire out Big Ben, who finished with a game-high 27 points to go with 14 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks versus 3 turnovers. 

If Mbala was terrific on defense individually, Ateneo played stifling D on Adamson in a 71-59 win (it should have been higher but Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin sent in the third stringers who did an awful job of closing out the game). Thirdy Ravena checked Jerie Pingoy and the other Soaring Falcons guards didn’t do squat (let’s not count the garbage time points). 

 

Plus, Adamson’s dangerous wingmen — Sean Manganti and Tyrus Hill — were pretty much silent. Even Ateneo center Chibueze Ikeh battled Papi Sarr to a standstill and by the fourth period, outplayed him.