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Quick Fire: Ateneo Blue Eagles, Season 80 Basketball Champions

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(Photo Credit: Mico Ongkeko, The GUIDON)

Ateneo Blue Eagles def. De La Salle Green Archers 88-86

Notable Players

Thirdy Ravena, Ateneo (17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals): Thirdy Ravena, best local in the UAAP. HANDS. DOWN.

Chibueze Ikeh, Ateneo (12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks): The points are a huge bonus, but what truly mattered was the A+ defense on Ben Mbala, and the constant activity which he showed on both ends of the floor. An absolute masterpiece by Ikeh. GG2EZ4CHIBUEZE.

Ben Mbala, La Salle (19 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks): It wasn't easy for Ben, but we can't deny this: Even in his worst games, Ben Mbala is still the best player in college basketball BAR NONE.

Quick Analysis:

- That my friends, is how do or die basketball games should be play. There were jitters, but both teams played TERRIFIC basketball on both ends, and put their bodies on the line all for the sake of a championship. Last year, it felt like Ateneo was lucky to be there. Now, it truly felt like a clash of two titans. An absolutely terrific series between two of the best teams in college basketball. 

- The pace of the game somehow favored La Salle (80.22), but it wasn't as bad as the previous game where the Pace stat was off the roof. Even though it was fast-paced, Ateneo stayed in the game by remaining aggressive on both ends of the floor, diving for loose balls and keeping their heads in the game. Troy Bolton would be proud.

- The turning point in this game happened when Ben Mbala was subbed out of the game during the seven minute mark of the fourth quarter. With no monster big man in sight, Thirdy Ravena and Chibueze Ikeh grabbed offensive rebounds (Thirdy's in particular was a MONSTER rebound) on two separate occasions, kicked it out to the shooter (Matt Nieto for Thirdy, Anton Asistio for Ikeh) for the big time three. I wouldn't say that sealed the deal, but it gave Ateneo the type of cushion a team needs to be able to beat La Salle.

- The beauty of that Isaac Go three: It actually looked like the play that came out of it (Matt pass to Thirdy, PnR between Thirdy and Isaac) wasn't the initial action that Coach Tab Baldwin wanted. It looked like Matt was supposed to be the initiator, but Matt and Isaac dialed back, gave Thirdy the ball and ran their PnR from the right wing with Thirdy as the initiator. What all those basketball terms say: The high IQ and great decision making of the Blue Eagles. Initial action is gone, go to the second one. In a high stakes situation nonetheless. Major props.

- Fast forward to Season 81 already please? Ateneo will reload with new pieces and better developed players, while La Salle will be out for revenge once more. Oh, did I forget to mention a monster FEU team and a UP team looking to rise? We are in for a treat.

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