Favorites shine in UAAP opening weekend

One pummeled its foe like crazy. The other heated up in the second half and waylaid its opponent into oblivion.

Hosts National University and four-time defending champion Ateneo de Manila University, favorites in the 75th UAAP men's basketball tournament, reminded everyone why they were tipped to slug it out for the crown come October.

Sure, they beat two teams that are rungs below them. University of the East looks like a rag-tag band of players who do not know what to do when smothered with pressing defense and rained upon with three-pointers. Meanwhile, Adamson University seems past its prime, its new point guards struggling to make plays for their teammates as they only had eight assists in 40 minutes.

But both the Bulldogs and the Blue Eagles proved one thing this weekend: that if they start sizzling, nobody can stop them.

With their 91-51 second round win over the Red Warriors in the Season 74 still fresh in their minds, the Sampaloc-based squad again showed no mercy in roasting UE, 90-55.

On the other hand, Ateneo, their second round loss to the Soaring Falcons last year fueling their angst, manhandled the San Marcelino-based crew, 73-57, in what coach Norman Black described as a "workmanlike effort."

Second quarter storm

Back-to-back triples by reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks in the second quarter catalyzed a huge run that put them in the driver's seat after a sluggish first quarter that saw them score a mere 13 points.

Jeff Javillonar, known more as a bruiser than a scorer, then took over from there, teaming up with rookie Troy Rosario as NU took a huge 48-23 lead at halftime after a 35-point second quarter.

Emmanuel Mbe, who had a so-called "jersey malfunction" just before the opening tip, joined the fray in the third before Parks, Gelo Alolino and Mark de Guzman sealed the deal in the fourth.

The opening-day win was impressive because Parks nor Mbe did not need to score in bunches for them to pull away.

The six-foot-four Parks, as a matter of fact, was a solid facilitator and a lockdown defensive monster in his first game back in the league that surprised him with its physicality last year, finishing with a LeBron-esque 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals.

Javillonar, meanwhile, took the top scoring chores with a career-best 19 points even as three other Bulldogs finished in double figures as they scored the biggest opening-day victory since Far Eastern University bullied UE, 89-61, eight years ago.

Second half onslaught

On the other hand, the Eagles started strong but slowed down as Alex Nuyles turned the role of playmaker and helped Rodney Brondial sky to 10 first-half points.

Seven-foot center Greg Slaughter kept Ateneo going in the first two quarters even as Nico Salva contributed as the Katipunan five had a slim 32-28 at the break.

The Eagles started breaking the game wide open with Oping Sumalinog firing a three that started it all in the third.

Then the comebacking Ryan Buenafe took over, attacking the paint with his bullstrong frame and turning the tide completely in favor of the five-peat-seeking squad.

Justin Chua and JP Erram also had their moments late in the game to help Ateneo book the win in front of more than 15, 000 screaming fans in Day 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The revelation in this game, however, was point guard Juami Tiongson, who more than proved that he is up to the task of replacing Emman Monfort. Tiongson posted five points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals in just 25 minutes of action.

Tougher test

The Eagles face a tougher opponent on Thursday, with hungry University of Santo Tomas eyeing a bounce-back from its heartbreaking opening-day loss to Far Eastern University.

Black considers the Growling Tigers as one of the favorites in Season 75, noting that they have a complete lineup and that they will be preparing hard not only for Karim Abdul and Jeric Fortuna, but also for the returning Aljon Mariano, who has impressed the American mentor since the summer.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs take a week off before plunging back to action against Ateneo on Sunday, their first real test and a game that will probably serve as a portent of things to come in this tournament.