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| (Photo Credit: Mico Ongkeko, The GUIDON) |
Ateneo Blue Eagles def. FEU Tamaraws 94-82
Notable Players:
Thirdy Ravena, ADMU (18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 turnovers): If he cuts down on those turnovers, the scarier he'll be. He's everything Ateneo hoped CJ Perez would be for them. An absolute monster on both ends of the floor, using his ridiculous physical tools to the brim.
Anton Asistio, ADMU (16 points, 3/6 3FG): Anton opened up the floor for Ateneo to start the game, scoring off catch and shoot with ease. Credit to him as he was able to put himself in good spots, and never forced the issue even though he was hot.
Matt Nieto, ADMU (11 points, 3 assists, 2 blocks): After struggling with his offense for most of his UAAP Seniors career, Matt found his stroke against FEU making three three-pointers. If he manages to continue to hit his outside shots consistently, teams have themselves a problem versus the Ateneo back court.
Wendell Comboy, FEU (12 points, 4/7 3FG): His +/- stats may not do him any favors (we'll dig deeper into that later), but Comboy was instrumental in keeping FEU in it versus Ateneo. His outside sniping will be huge for an FEU team still looking for an identity offensively.
Arvin Tolentino, FEU (11 points, 4 rebounds): He was passive during the first three quarters of the game, not looking to attack during the times he got the ball. But when the game was on the line, Arvin tried his best to make a run on his own, but it was a little too late.
Anton Asistio, ADMU (16 points, 3/6 3FG): Anton opened up the floor for Ateneo to start the game, scoring off catch and shoot with ease. Credit to him as he was able to put himself in good spots, and never forced the issue even though he was hot.
Matt Nieto, ADMU (11 points, 3 assists, 2 blocks): After struggling with his offense for most of his UAAP Seniors career, Matt found his stroke against FEU making three three-pointers. If he manages to continue to hit his outside shots consistently, teams have themselves a problem versus the Ateneo back court.
Wendell Comboy, FEU (12 points, 4/7 3FG): His +/- stats may not do him any favors (we'll dig deeper into that later), but Comboy was instrumental in keeping FEU in it versus Ateneo. His outside sniping will be huge for an FEU team still looking for an identity offensively.
Arvin Tolentino, FEU (11 points, 4 rebounds): He was passive during the first three quarters of the game, not looking to attack during the times he got the ball. But when the game was on the line, Arvin tried his best to make a run on his own, but it was a little too late.
Quick Analysis:
- If it weren't for Arvin deciding to take go fourth gear (not yet fifth, trust me) versus Ateneo in the fourth quarter, this game would have been a blowout for Ateneo. It was like the game versus UP. They continued to play steady basketball during the first three quarters, then come the fourth they were looking to go for the kill. Sadly they had a former Blue Eagle standing in front of them, trying his best to put up a fight.
- A big reason for Ateneo playing so well is the spacing they've installed within their team. They've been using the dribble pitch a lot in their offense, with the bigs handing it off to their guards. Although instead of the big rolling towards the rim, they've been popping. This has opened up the lane for athletic wings like Thirdy and Gian Mamuyac to cut towards the basket for easy shots down low.
- Thirdy's improvement during this season has been terrific. No longer is he forcing shots, just working through the flow of the offense. You can argue he already has a deeper skill set than his brother, although he isn't as polished just yet.
- FEU was able to make a game out of this out of sheer talent. Arvin was terrific in the fourth quarter, while Comboy made enough shots to keep it close. There have only been a couple of times where FEU has managed to run proper triangle or DDO without forcing a bad shot. Credit to Ateneo's defense, sure, but FEU clearly has not meshed just yet in order to run their offense to perfection.
- At the same time, Coach Olsen hasn't managed to figure out his rotation just yet. Comboy was a -15, but you can't say it was his fault his team was losing during those instances. Arvin (their main power forward) has issues with his knee right now, so that may be making things hard for them. But in the end, Olsen could probably opt to go with Parker-Comboy-Dennison-Tolentino-Orizu as his final five.
- Credit where credit is due though: FEU managed to have more assists compared to Ateneo. Even though they haven't been able to run their stuff properly, their players haven't been chucking up shots to oblivion. Most of Comboy and Tolentino's baskets were in rhythm, so that's a step in the right direction for FEU. There is selflessness within the team, and that's exactly what Coach Olsen wants from them.
- A big reason for Ateneo playing so well is the spacing they've installed within their team. They've been using the dribble pitch a lot in their offense, with the bigs handing it off to their guards. Although instead of the big rolling towards the rim, they've been popping. This has opened up the lane for athletic wings like Thirdy and Gian Mamuyac to cut towards the basket for easy shots down low.
- Thirdy's improvement during this season has been terrific. No longer is he forcing shots, just working through the flow of the offense. You can argue he already has a deeper skill set than his brother, although he isn't as polished just yet.
- FEU was able to make a game out of this out of sheer talent. Arvin was terrific in the fourth quarter, while Comboy made enough shots to keep it close. There have only been a couple of times where FEU has managed to run proper triangle or DDO without forcing a bad shot. Credit to Ateneo's defense, sure, but FEU clearly has not meshed just yet in order to run their offense to perfection.
- At the same time, Coach Olsen hasn't managed to figure out his rotation just yet. Comboy was a -15, but you can't say it was his fault his team was losing during those instances. Arvin (their main power forward) has issues with his knee right now, so that may be making things hard for them. But in the end, Olsen could probably opt to go with Parker-Comboy-Dennison-Tolentino-Orizu as his final five.
- Credit where credit is due though: FEU managed to have more assists compared to Ateneo. Even though they haven't been able to run their stuff properly, their players haven't been chucking up shots to oblivion. Most of Comboy and Tolentino's baskets were in rhythm, so that's a step in the right direction for FEU. There is selflessness within the team, and that's exactly what Coach Olsen wants from them.
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