Ateneo takes Game 1 from La Salle, 69-61, in UAAP

Article Index
Ateneo takes Game 1 from La Salle, 69-61, in UAAP
Page 2
Page 3
All Pages

Page 3 of 3

"I have an aide, but not really a bodyguard; I have my driver with me all the time," Tiu told the Inquirer hours before the game. "Maybe they're fans who just want to say something. I think they're not really stalkers."

Displaying a remarkable combination of talent, intelligence, looks, wealth, on-court toughness and squeaky-clean image, Tiu has turned into one of the league's poster boys.

At 23, Tiu juggles his game, studies for a no-nonsense degree in applied math and finance, business, tapings for a hosting stint in a major television network, duties as a youth community leader and promotional activities for numerous endorsements.

"There were people trying to contact him, but as far as I know, there are no serious security threats," said Ricky Palou, Ateneo's representative to the UAAP board.

On Sunday at the South Gate -- the entrance of team and school officials, media and league sponsors -- security personnel checked the names twice on the official lists outside and inside the gate before issuing wrist tags.

It took the media 15 minutes to get in at around 12 noon, but the waiting time stretched to one hour later in the afternoon as the queue grew longer.

Save for the parking slots reserved for league officials, the Araneta parking lot was already full around 12 noon, more than three hours before the game started.

Knowing the advertising mileage the event would generate, tarpaulin ads and marketing collaterals such as streamers, balloons and #1 foam hands were strewn all over the venue.

With the game also drawing a sizable AB class crowd, luxury car brands Porsche and Audi had set up showrooms at the coliseum lobbies.

Inside the venue, Araneta also stationed an innovative Ticket Exchange Table. For instance, if a La Salle fan wound up purchasing an Ateneo-side lower box ticket, he could have his name listed on the exchange list. He could then watch on the Archers side if an Ateneo fan holding a La Salle-side ticket of similar face value signs up for the trade.

When the audience gates opened at 11:30 a,m., free seating areas at the General Admission, Upper Box A and Upper Box B started filling up.

With game passes at the Araneta ticket booths sold out in just three hours last Monday, auditing personnel Ramil Antonio said the league decided to issue 1,000 more general admission tickets five hours before the game Sunday.

Bootleg tickets sold online by as much as P50,300 for two patron tickets originally priced at P350 each.

At the betting front, albeit illegally, La Salle was given a plus 3.5 points advantage. Meaning, if you picked Ateneo, the Eagles must win at least four points over the Archers to win the bet.

Tiu and Baclao sat out most of the first half due to early foul woes, but it didn't stop the Eagles from taking a 36-29 lead at halftime.

After Casio gave the Archers their first and only lead following a three-point play, 29-26, the Eagles responded with a 10-0 spurt capped by a Reyes triple for their biggest lead in the first half at 36-29.

Buenafe got the Eagles off to a strong start by shooting the first bucket, then later issuing an assist to Al-Hussaini for a 4-0 Ateneo start.

After the rookie guard scored five of the Eagles' next nine points to put them up at 13-9, Black was forced to sit out Tiu and Bacalo the entire second quarter after the pair fetched two fouls each in the opening period.

Reyes opened the second canto with a triple to give the Eagles an 18-12 edge, but the Archers rallied behind Maierhofer to tie the count at 24.

By halftime, the glaring statistic was the two squads' shooting percentage with Ateneo posting a 44 percent clip (11-of-25) and La Salle at 24.3 percent (9-of37).

During warm-ups before the game, the Eagles wore tribute black shirts with the number 24, the jersey number of Black while playing as an import with San Miguel.

Ateneo set the tone in junior play as the Blue Eaglets held off a rallying Far Eastern University for a 72-62 Game 1 triumph that pushed the top seeds within a win of reclaiming the crown Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.

Ian Enriquez delivered 18 points and17 rebounds, while Juami Tiongson added 15 markers and six assists for the Eaglets, who will shoot for their sixth crown in the past decade this Saturday after settling for a runner-up finish last season.

Kiefer Ravena, the son of former pro cager Bong Ravena, completed a key three-point play with 1:08 minute left to put the Eaglets up at 69-60 after the Baby Tamaraws orchestrated a 12-2 comeback that wiped out a wide 64-48 gap to just 66-60.

The Lady Tamaraws similarly survived a late rally for a 54-52 escape over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the women's Finals.

Bernandette Mercado shot 13 points to pace the Lady Tamaraws, who last won the title in 1997.

The scores:
ATENEO 69 -- Al-Hussaini 31, Buenafe 12, Reyes 12, Baclao 5, Long 3, Baldos 2, Tiu 2, Salamat 2, Salva 0, Austria 0, Nkemakolam 0, Escueta 0.
LA SALLE 61 -- Casio 20, Maierhofer 17, Malabes 6, Barua 6, Mangahas 5, Revilla 3, Villanueva 2, Ferdinand 2, Walsham 0, Mendoza 0, Bagatsing 0, Atkins 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 36-29, 55-45, 69-61

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites