National University’s 96-88 overtime win on September 15 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium might not have changed its fortune, but the outcome was significant to Ateneo de Manila University.
Jonathan Jahnke was the hero of the day for the Bulldogs, scoring the first nine NU points in OT, finding daylight from the outstretched arms of Noynoy Baclao for a twister, 80-73, 3:19. Two consecutive Jonathan Fernandez threes later, it was already an 88-76 tally in favour of National.
“Kami naman we just wanted to get beck at Ateneo,” said NU coach Manny Dandan, not minding of what the repercussions were. “We just want to win para closing out the season maganda.”
Fernandez chiseled 24 points, shooting 6/11 from outside and 4/4 from the line, and five rebounds. Edwin Asoro had 16 markers and 12 boards, eight coming from the offensive glass.
Jahnke loaded with 15 points, five caroms, three assists, four steals, and four turnovers. Shooting guards Michael Salvado and Cyrus Malagueño totaled 22, 15 points coming from three-point territory, five rebbies, and seven assists with the former swiping five possessions and swatting three shots from Ateneo.
“Maganda lang dinipensa namin,” Dandan surmised.
The hustle points proved that point with the Dogs making 13 fastbreak points, 23 second chance points, and 31 turnover points. They also had 14 steals, forcing ADMU to 29 turnovers, while they limited themselves to just 14 miscues. Other than that, the blue and gold’s outside shooting was on target, making 13 from the three-point territory.
On the other hand, the Blue Eagles shot better overall with a 42% clip, had more rebounds with 60, while producing 20 assists and nine blocks.
“We took that risk to put all forwards kanina,” mentioned Dandan to counter ADMU mentor Norman Black’s ploy of fielding in tall but quick players.
This marked as the final games of Fernandez, Malagueño, Salvado, and Joseph Lingao-Lingao.
Ford Arao lorded with 22 points, half of it coming in the first quarter, ten rebounds, and four errors. Jai Reyes exploded with 16, five boards, seven assists, and two steals.
Eric Salamat and Eman Monfort had an equal share of 14 markers each.
With this, the Eagles are forced to battle De La Salle University on September 20 at 3pm at the Cuneta Astrodome. The winner gets the twice-to-beat benefit with the defeated facing the victor of the University of Santo Tomas versus Far Eastern University knockout match. The Growling Tigers and the Tamaraws would trench the Araneta Coliseum on September 17.
Ateneo de Manila was thinking of wrapping things up early, Salamat driving in for a lay in, 17-7, 1:28 of the first quarter. This was duplicated by Yuri Escueta late in the second with a quick basket, 30-20, less than a minute to go.
Things then turned sour for the Katipunan-based squad as Fernandez hoisted a three from the side for the first ever lead change of the tussle, 34-31, 6:39 of the third period. This was increased to nine via a Salvado triple, 54-45, 9:08 remaining in regulation.
Egged on by the blue and white gallery, ADMU released a 7-0 run to take the lead for a while with Tiu stealing one then passing off to Reyes to complete the fastbreak, 61-59, 4:27. With both sides exchanging digits, Salamat found space despite being covered by Asoro to formulate a shaky three-point margin, 71-68, more than a minute left.
Salvado split his trip at the freethrow line from a Zion Laterre foul at the one-minute mark. The Eagles was called for a 24-second violation after Tiu’s attempt to beat the buzzer hit board.
Asoro recovered a Jahnke hoist that was deflected by Baclao for a one-hander in the paint, :21.1, tying the count. Salamat and Tiu had a two-man play set up as Salamat drove then kicked off to a wide open Tiu for the game-winner, but his three-pointer hitting metal instead as the regulation buzzer sounded.
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