Athletic Motion: PCCL 2012 SEMIS DAY 3 (ADMU-SBC)

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. (John Wooden)

ADMU 66-49 SBC

Now just who is John Wooden? He has been inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach. Wooden was also head coach of UCLA from 1948-1975 and managed to win 10 championships in a 12 year period. One run went 7 straight years.

Once you start to win games consistenely, it's difficult to forget that smell of victory. That poise and mind-set is usually learned through tough hours of training and having to endure heart breaking losses. It's difficult to develop character, but once you get it, it's also tough to lose.

Amidst news of an imminent announcement declaring a reconciliation between the ADMU and MVP, The Blue Eagles maintained momentum from their last game to handily barge into the PCCL finals round in an impressive defensive victory againt SBC.

During the warm up phase, some players were again going for practice dunks just like in the game with SWU.

Coach Gabby Severino was calling the shots without Coach Sandy A who was assuming his duties with Talk n Text in the PBA.

Starting for Ateneo were Juami Tiongson, Justin Chua, Tonino Gonzaga, Kiefer Ravena and at center, Nico Salva. This is the third starting center for Ateneo in three games.

Whatever reason the coaching staff may have had for starting Salva at the post worked as he had an outstanding with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists and got player of the game honors.

Greg Slaughter was again very active in the shaded lane but because the Red Lions had a tendency to double up on the big man, his scoring dipped slightly with 11 points, but he still managed 12 boards and 2 blocks.

Kiefer Ravena, as usual, played a great all around game with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 8 assists.

This pass to Greg Slaughter off a drive and draw ended in another rim rattling dunk.

It may have been these new pair of metallic gold sneakers...

Juami Tiongson also delivered with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

The game was very defensively oriented and both teams made little headway on points early on. San Beda had managed a faster start off the blocks but once the Eagles had gained momentum and took the upper hand, they never relinquished the lead. The first quarter ended 15-12 in favor of Ateneo. At Half-time of this low scoring game, the totals were still on the side of the Blue Eagles at 28-26.

The third canto started with Ateneo fielding in Slaughter, Salva, Tiongson, Ravena and Gonzaga and this is where it gets interesting. Remember that San Beda had 26 points at the end of the 1st half? Check this out...

That's right, with 3:01 to go, San Beda still had not managed to buy a basket. The ball just kept on bouncing off the rim like it had a lid on it. On the other hand, Ateneo attacked the basket to start with an 18-0 run. My friend Diego, who was taking notes on scoring, told me that San Beda only managed to score at the 1:39 mark and ended up the 3rd quarter with 5 points. This feat prompted Coach Severino to mention at the end of the game that "This was a perfect defensive game by his players". They managed to do this committing a total of only 10 team fouls all game against San Bedas 21.

Ateneo managed to erect a whopping 21 point lead going into the tail end of the game.

The second team again got major playing minutes, led by guard Von Pessumal (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 15 minutes of action).

Kris Porter and Issac Lim also got in the fray...

The game ended with Ateneo sporting a 17 point lead at 66-49.

The Red Lions got big games from Jake Pascual (10 points, 8 rebounds), Kyle Pascual (8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block), and Baser Amer (15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) whose 3-point shots at the start of the payoff period got his team to within 10 points of Ateneo.

The game was a rough contested game but it still managed to be a friendly game. Gwyne Capacio got knocked down on a drive to the basket late in the fourth...

immediately had 4 Red Lions helping him get to his feet...

Kudos to Rome Dela Rosa, Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual and Baser Amer.

Both teams met at half court after the game to exchange pleasantries and congratulate each other. After all both teams are multi-titled champions of the NCAA and UAAP.

Coach Gabby Severino will be steering this team to the completion of the PCCL. He feels that it will be easier to motivate his players now that it's the finals. With news that Coach Bo Perasol will be at the helm of the Ateneo Bench next year, this may be Coach Gabby's last stint as head coach of the Eagles for a long while. They have to make these next games count!

Next up UST.

Notes.

These group of young men will most probably be a major part of Ateneo's front court next year.