(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 t...

By now, we all know that there will be a game 3. We saw what happened. Ateneo went balls to the wall crazy with shooting and La Salle sent them crashing back down to earth. Game 1 went to Ateneo, Game 2 went to La Salle. For the first time in 15 years, there is a game 3 in the greatest rivalry in Philippine sports, for all the marbles. Here is what is on deck for Ateneo and La Salle: ATENEO BLUE EAGLES Ateneo came out of that dugout on fire, finishing the 1 st quarter with 32 big points. Every shot that the Blue Eagles took turned to gold, and it looked like a celebration in Katipunan was in the works. La Salle chipped away at the lead, until they took it for good during the 3 rd quarter where Ateneo shot a measly 8 points. Plain and simple, the Blue Eagles lost the flame that made them win game 1. What was worse for them was that they lost it in the middle of the game. Team ball and 3 rd quarter dominance were Ateneo's calling card all season long, and it...

(Photo Credit: Mico Ongkeko, SLAM Philippines) De La Salle Green Archers def. Ateneo Blue Eagles 92-83 Notable Players: Kib Montalbo (9 points, 5 assists and 3 steals) and Andrei Caracut (13 points, 3 rebounds), DLSU: These two were arguably the main reasons for La Salle's resurgence during the second half. Kib played some terrific defense, while Andrei was his usual steady self on offense. Most importantly, as cliche as it may be, they kept on fighting and didn't give up. Ben Mbala (20 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks) and Ricci Rivero (18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists), DLSU: They were on the verge of breaking down, but their captains (Kib and Prince) got them back on track to wreck havoc on Ateneo. Ben broke out of his slump and regained confidence, while Ricci ignored foul trouble to produce for La Salle. Thirdy Ravena (20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) and Aaron Black (15 points, 6/8 FG), Ateneo: The former Blue Eaglets tried their best to ...

(Photo Credit: Angel Marquez, GoArchers.com Game 1 is now history. All “What-if” questions and shoulda coulda woulda are now moot, as the Ateneo Blue Eagles pull off a 76-70 win in a highly physical game against the De La Salle Green Archers. The game has been broken down in Quick fire , so let us briefly answer the questions laid out for the two teams prior to the finals , as well as ask some new questions heading into game 2. DE LA SALLE GREEN ARCHERS Ben Mbala was proved to be human by the Ateneo defense. He got 12 rebounds, but scored only 8 points on 3/7 field goal shooting. All game long he had to deal with 2 (sometimes even 3) defenders hounding him, forcing him to kick out to shooters and let them handle the offensive load. It also did not help that he was saddled with 4 fouls, playing more tentative that he already was. Ricci Rivero was also in foul trouble for most of the game, finishing with only 10 points. Outside those two, no one else got to double digits in ...

(Photo Credit: Christopher Cancio, The GUIDON)  Ateneo Blue Eagles def. De La Salle Green Archers 76-70 Notable Players: Thirdy Ravena, Ateneo (12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists): What a way for Thirdy to start off his second Finals campaign. His stats may not pop-out, but this was one of Thirdy's best games yet. Controlled, smart play from the best local in the league. Mike (11 points, 5 rebounds) and Matt (11 points, 3 assists) Nieto, Ateneo: Matt was his usual steady self despite nursing a nasty cut in the left eyebrow, while Mike played some tough, smart basketball despite his lack of height to push Ateneo during the fourth quarter. These twins are special. Chibueze Ikeh, Ateneo (4 points, 9 rebounds): Offensively, Ikeh was terrible. He showed us how NOT to run a hi-low play (seriously, a pass to Raffy Verano from the top with two defenders on Raffy) and missed a ton of gimmes. But defensively? He was INCREDIBLE. The very fact that he held his ground versus Mbal...

(Photo Credit: Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports) Note: For definitions of what these particular statistics mean, check out this glossary by Basketball Reference. "BABA NA AGAD!!!" My dad shouts to our other teammates, as we find ourselves down by 2 points in a pick-up game versus some friends. My cousin is then asked to inbound the ball, and there are two conflicting voices shouting at him. My dad proceeds to shout "Wag mo ibato, bigay mo sa kanya!", pertaining to one of my teammates who was close to him. But my uncle shouts "PUSH!", as in "push the pace" by pushing the ball fast and going for the fast break opportunity. My cousin is then left frozen, with no idea of what the proper decision is to be. I've been placed in such a situation as well. My dad has taught me to play with a deliberate style (if you're reading this KBoys/Big Bolero Brand, explains why I play like Arvin Tolentino) while trying to maintain efficiency (okay thi...

(Photo Credit: Joseph Nebrida, GoArchers.com) DLSU Green Archers def. UST Growling Tigers 94-59 Notable Players Ben Mbala, DLSU (17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 offensive rebounds, 3 blocks) : Wait, there is one simple thing not mentioned in this stats, it was done in HALF the game.  Playing only 19 minutes, Mbala was on track for a record breaking afternoon until Coach Aldin Ayo pulled the plug and decided to dig into his pocket of subs.  But the second quarter 25-8 game deciding run was all La Salle needed Mbala to anchor as the Green Archers took a mammoth 45-24 halftime lead.   Ricci Rivero, DLSU ( 16 points, 7 rebounds 3 offensive rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block) : Ricci Rivero continues his MVP-like playing ways piling up statistical points in a flash.  These impressive stats were amassed in 19 minutes and Rivero completely euro-stepped around UST leaping Tigers who seemed to bite with every pump, shoulder or head fake.  The sophomore ho...

(Photo Credit: Joaqui Flores, Tiebreaker Times) De La Salle Green Archers def. UE Red Warriors 99-78 Notable Players: Santi Santillian, La Salle (14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks): You can't blame people for giving the Troy Rosario comparison to Santi, it's warranted. He's not as fluid, but his nose for the ball and physical tools scream sure-fire PBA prospect. Justine Baltazar, La Salle (13 points, 6/6 FG): Baltazar there is potential in him becoming more than a big man with the movement he displayed off the ball to get open jumpers. He's long, fairly athletic and his skills are starting to catch-up.  Alvin Pasaol, UE (23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals): Seriously, he managed to score 23 even though Ben was draped all over him. He doesn't just chuck up shots. He takes his time, and waits for the shot to get to him. He had to work for it, but he still managed to score. Major props. Mark Olayon, UE (18 points, 7 assists): Olayon looks to...

(Photo Credit: Rafael Zaballero, The LaSallian) DLSU Green Archers def. Adamson Soaring Falcons 80-74 Notable Players Ricci Rivero, La Salle (17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist):  The gunslinger from La Salle Greenhills has flipped the switch in the second round playing Mythical Team basketball.  When the play is broken, give the ball to Ricci.  Shot clock running down and the team needs a quick 2, give the ball to Ricci.  The steadiness Ricci Rivero has provided so far to a struggling La Salle offense by capitalizing on small defensive gaps and driving hard for two.   To add to that phenomenal and entertaining brand of offense are the intangible contributions.  Rivero's ridiculous length on defense effectively shuts down opponents' outside snipers plus the agility to chase down dribble drive rim attacks has made Mayhem a tough defense to crack.     Santi Santillan, La Salle (16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists):  The ...

(Photo Credit: Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports) DLSU Green Archers def. UP Fighting Maroons 85-62 Notable Players Ben Mbala, DLSU (27 points, 14 rebounds, 7 offensive rebounds, 28.33 minutes of hounding Paul Desiderio):  "You don't like me when I am angry" is a phrase patented by the Hulk, that fierce green giant.  When Mbala got angry, he decisively shut down Paul Desiderio from making any buckets on his watch.  Mbala blanked the UP rapid shooter who was only able to cough out two successive triples in the second quarter when La Salle shifted to their 1-2-2 leaving the wings open. Mbala made more strong backdoor cuts that resulted into easy twos or sending him to the line where he made 12 of 14 attempts. Ricci Rivero, DLSU (20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals):  Talk about coming back from scoring coma, Ricci Rivero came into life for the 3rd straight game aptly supporting Mbala in keeping UP's defense honest.  Using that unbelievable wingspan to the max, Ricc...

(Photo Credit: John Oranga, Fabilioh) Ateneo Blue Eagles def. La Salle Green Archers 76-75 Notable Players: Matt Nieto, Ateneo (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 ballsy free throws): We all know the big shots, but how he broke La Salle's mayhem and settled down Ateneo was just as impressive. Anton Asistio, Ateneo (14 points, 4 made threes): He didn't do too well late in the game but his threes at the start were key. Jolo Mendoza, Ateneo (10 points, 2/3 3FG, 2 assists): Jolo was terrific for most of this game, taking advantage of La Salle's poor coverage on the perimeter to hit some timely shots. He still has a ways to go at being a play maker, but he's getting there. Ben Mbala, La Salle (18 points, 13 rebounds): He had *just* 18 points, but how he forced Ateneo to help on him again and again was key in making this game close. A facilitating Mbala is a nightmare to be up against. Ricci Rivero, La Salle (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steal...

(Photo Credit: Tristan Tamayo, INQUIRER.net) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT'S TIMEEEEEEEEEEE! It's Ateneo-La Salle weekend, and unlike last year's first round match-up, this match is looking to be a tight one. Both teams are set to finish with the top two seeds by the end of the first round (regardless of the result of the game), so I can assure you we're getting a match between the two best teams in the league. Obviously, there are a number of key questions for this game. There's issues with pace, running pristine offenses, and of course, determining who will win the most awaited match-up of this year. The entire Scout's Notebook PH team along with writers from The GUIDON, The LaSallian and Humblebola, came in and helped answer these key questions. Here are our answers: 1. Just how important of a factor will pace be for this game? Context: La Salle and Ateneo play at contrasting paces with each other. La Salle sports the fastest pace at 94.73 while Ate...