Photo by Justin de Jesus

The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles annexed a rare three peat in Season 73 with a three point closeout win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

By: Geoff Latayan

For the third straight season, the ADMU Blue Eagles ruled the UAAP hardcourt as they eked out a come from behind 65-62 conquest over the FEU Tamaraws to sweep the UAAP Season 73 Championship series and annex their first three-peat, Sept. 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ryan Clarence Buenafe finally came out of his shell as he exploded for 23 points, including a three point basket that gave the Katipunan-based dribblers a five point cushion in the dying seconds of the game.

With 22.1 seconds remaining in the game, Buenafe, on a one-on-one play, fired a trifecta to jack up the lead to five, 64-59.

The third year out of San Sebastian High School, Buenafe lifted the Blue Eagles in the crucial minutes of regulation as he scored 10 consecutive points in a span of six minutes.

Counting the three straight that he had with the Staglets, it was the sixth consecutive title for Buenafe, who shot 8 for 12 from the field and caromed six rebounds.

The Blue Eagles got themselves shot at the foot early on as the Tamaraws raced to a 14-6 lead but the lead evaporated in the second quarter as the Norman Black-coached squad got their bearings on and scored eight consecutive to taste the lead for the first time, 27-26, on Frank Golla’s two charities, 2:11 remaining before halftime.

Photo by Roehl Niño Bautista

FEU would regain the lead and increased it to six, 38-32 as Reil Cervantes fired an off the glass jumpshot.

Ateneo would regain the lead, 45-42 with an 11-2 counter spurt highlighted by Buenafe’s six points and a stunning basket by point guard Emman Monfort.

FEU would clutch back the lead 56-55 as Cameroonian Hippolyte Noundou slashed to the basket for a twinner, 5:45 remaining.

The one-point lead was the last for the Tamaraws as they paved the way for Buenafe’s heroics as he scored six straight to give the Blue Eagles a five point headway going to the final two minutes.

FEU would try to come back but four misses from Paul Sanga, Aldrech Ramos and Cervantes in the free throw stripe could only cut the deficit to two, 59-61.

JR Cawaling muffed a three in the last 15 seconds to force FEU to foul Bacon Austria, with 9.1 seconds left.

Austria would make one to raise the lead to six. Cervantes would make a triple to cut the lead to three but that was too little too late as ADMU would dribble the precious seconds to win their third consecutive crown, their sixth in the UAAP.

Monfort supported Buenafe in scoring tallying 10 points.

Cervantes led the Tamaraws with 15 points.

Five keys:

1. Ryan saved it for the Blue Eagles, Ryan choked for the Tams. Ryan Buenafe had a coming out game on the time when Ateneo needed it most. He scored 23 points and the three pointer that struck the dagger to the Tamaraws’ hearts. On the other side, Ryan Roose Garcia choked when FEU needed him. He was limited to six points in 35 minutes as he was held checked by the Blue Eagle guards that were assigned to guard him.
2. Big Three. It was the play that gave the title for the Blue Eagles. Of all people, it was Buenafe, who was not shooting the ball well in the three point region all season long, iced it. That was cold blood. That could be the play of the season.
3. 

   Photo by Roehl Nino Bautista

   Second half lockdown. Ateneo was known for their defense all throughout Season 73. In fact, they were number one in terms of defense in the eliminations. The second half was the best example of Ateneo’s lockdown defense. They forced FEU to 11 for 32 field goal shooting (1 for 10 in the three point area) and eight turnovers in the second half. They also limit FEU’s fastbreak points to a measly two points.

4. Championship composure. Ateneo demonstrated championship poise whereas FEU was in disarray. It was only in the first quarter of game two that FEU, despite hauling down better rebounding numbers, dominated Ateneo. Ateneo, with their championship composure keeping them afloat, dictated the pace for this series. They took care of the ball and never wasted any opportunities handed to them by FEU’s championship sloppiness.
5. 15^th parallel steadiness. The Blue Eagles demonstrated why they are number one in the season when it comes to free throws. They shot 24 for 36 for 66.7 percent as compared to FEU’s 11 for 21 for 52.4 percent.