Eagles rise to 6-0, face Tams next

Updated 11:27pm (Mla time) Aug 05, 2004
By Jasmine Payo
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A28 of the August 6, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


SLAM-DUNKING JC Intal delivered another monster performance with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Ateneo Blue Eagles over National University, 67-56, for their sixth straight win in the 67th UAAP varsity basketball tournament yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

Ateneo, which last raced to a 6-0 start in 1988, is the only undefeated team in the league. The Eagles, now playing minus injured main man Larry Fonacier, gun for a first-round sweep against defending champion Far Eastern on Sunday.

In the other varsity match, FEU quelled a University of the Philippines' fourth-quarter run to hack out a 63-56 win and keep solo second at 5-1.

Tailenders NU and UP took their sixth consecutive setbacks.

Intal sparked Ateneo's 14-6 run in the third period after a 33-33 deadlock at halftime. Bajjie del Rosario capped the onslaught with a triple and a jumper to give Ateneo a 47-39 lead.

Cyrus Malagueño drilled a three-pointer midway in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs closed in at 55-52, but Intal and Paolo Bugia kept the Eagles afloat
LA Tenorio and Magnum Membrere, who scored eight points apiece, then canned their freethrows in the final 30 seconds for a 65-56 margin.

"We were able to pull it off in the final minutes. JC is doing a lot of things for us. LA also played well and we're getting steady support from the other players," said coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

NU's offensive leader, Rey Mendoza, struggled the entire game, scoring his sole basket early in the first quarter.

Fonacier, who's still recovering from a recent knee operation, sat behind the Ateneo bench together with former teammate Enrico Villanueva.

Veterans Mark Isip and Dennis Miranda, who finished with 19 and 16 points, respectively, gave FEU a 10-point buffer at the end of the third period.

UST's Tiger Cubs also made it six straight as they beat the Bullpups, 73-64, in junior play. The Eaglets downed the Baby Falcons, 74-53, for their third win in six outings.

The scores:

Third Game (Srs)

ATENEO 67-Intal 20, Bugia 8, Membrere 8, Tenorio 8, Tiu 7, Del Rosario 7, Arao 4, Kramer 3, Escalona 2, Aguilar 0, Uichico 0, Quimson 0.
NU 56-Fernandez 15, Miclat 14, Estolano 7, Balijon 4, Malcontento 3, Malagueno 3, Mendoza 2, Moradas 2, D. Catamora 2, King 2, Asoro 2, Mollena 0, C. Catamora 0.
Quarters: 16-18, 33-33, 49-4167-56.

Fourth Game (Srs)

FEU 63-Isip 19, Miranda 16, Santos 10, Rizada 8, Chan 5, Mangahas 2, Garcia 2, Yabut 1, Villanueva 0, Santiago 0, Flores 0, Dela Cruz 0, Barcellano 0, Babilonia 0.
UP 56-Cervantes 15, Santos 14, Almeda 12, David 8, Iba¤es 5, Quebral 2, Bienvenida 0, Buyco 0, Epres 0, Ferrer 0.
Quarters: 14-13, 32-24, 50-40, 63-56.

i hope the Tamarawa could win!

Wheeee! Ad Majorem Dei GLoriam!!!!

Tamaraws, fight,fight fight!!!!!!!!

kitakits na lang sa finals!

I hope we could win it for two consecutive year.

lame as in lampa??? ateneo eagles??? hindi yata! 6-0 nga eh... kumpara sa 5-1... pis tau!!!

Ateneo and FEU rivalry? Iba na ito!

Before it was Ateneo and La salle!

para masarap ang usapan... kasama na yan dyan!

kasi naman feu tong si poknat!!!

ganda nga eh kasi hirap naman pag lahat sasang-ayon at walang nagkokontrahan. basta ba sa maayos na paraan eh.