Ateneo Blue Eagles Beat San Beda Red Lions To Capture The 2011 FilOil Flying V Title
After losing yesterday in the Father Martin's Cup 2011 against the National University Bulldogs, the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles quickly bounced back from that setback as they capture their very first 2011 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup seniors' basketball title at the expense of the San Beda Red Lions. The final score was 75-56 in favor of Ateneo. Ateneo brought home 500,000 pesos and a trophy after they beat San Beda.
The game was lopsided right from the get go. Ateneo was able to build an 11 point lead in the first quarter and since then they never looked back in this game en route to winning their first FilOil crown. Ateneo's well balanced scoring and fine ball movement abused San Beda's 1-2-2 zone defense. 4 players from Ateneo were able to notch double-digit scores. Ateneo's second stringers were led by Juami Tiongson and Tonino Gonzaga. Juami "Magic" Tiongson had 11 points in this game. He showed to all of us that he can score just like what he used to do when he was playing in the Ateneo High School. He was able to exploit the defense of the quite shorter Paolo Pontejos. Tiongson unleashed a 4 point blitzkrieg in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter to give Ateneo a more comfortable lead. Tonino Gonzaga on the other hand made 2 three pointers for Ateneo. All in all he had 6 points. He not only scored for Ateneo, he also made a great job in defending against Garvo Lanete. He and Kirk Long were the ones who covered Lanete. Usually, Lanete is the second leading scorer for San Beda behind Ola Adeogun, but in this game Garvo had a hard time in getting open looks because of Long and Gonzaga.
San Beda Red Lions' dominant big man, Ola Adeogun on the other hand, was shocked in this game. He just can't find his comfort zone in this game against the 7-footer Greg Slaughter. Slaughter man-handled Adeogun in this game. Slaughter was able to score 14 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists in this game. He also denied Adeogun his usual numbers in this game. He showed to all of the Ateneans in the crowd that he is ready to be the new big man on campus for the Loyola Hills based squad.
Ateneo's phenom, Kiefer Ravena didn't score that much in this game which is unlike his last debut game against San Beda in the eliminations wherein he was able to score in bunches. In this recent FilOil championship game, he only scored 12 points but just like the past Ateneans, LA Tenorio, Wesley Gonzales, Larry Fonacier, Rich Alvarez, Rico Villanueva, and Paul Tanchi, who played before him, he also found other ways to help the cause of his team. He showed his great court vision and court awareness in this game. He was able to issue crisp and on point passes to his open teammates. That was a good move because he was well covered by his San Beda defenders. He should pass the ball for better offense for the Ateneo. With his efforts Ateneo won their first ever FilOil title. Subsequently, because of his fine performance in the Finals, he was named as the Finals MVP. He will bring home a trophy and some cash prize. Ateneo on the other hand will bring home 500,000 pesos because of this win. This win is a huge confidence booster for the Ateneo in the upcoming UAAP Season 74 on July 9, 2011. They will be the host in this year's UAAP.
San Beda on the other hand will bring home the first runner-up trophy and a cash prize worth 50,000 pesos. This lost should not dampen their confidence because they played well without their three players, Sudan Daniel, the other half of the Semerad twins and their own version of the phenom, Baser Amer. Daniel was out because of a calf injury and Amer was out because of a certain illness. Amer has been in the hospital receiving treatment. Let's all pray for his fast recovery.
Just to note, the FilOil Flying V 2011 season MVP was Yousef Taha. His awarding was not telecast because FilOil exceeded the 4-hour limit of Studio 23.
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