Quickly turning the match into a rout, the Blue Eagles got a headstart in the round-robin semifinals with the two best teams advancing to the finals of the nationwide collegiate tournament.
In the clash of the towering centers, the seven-foot Greg Slaughter got the better of the 6-foot-11 June Mar Fajardo in the anticipated match-up with 18 points, 11 rebounds and a block.
“We got off to a good start. We played well defensively, but not offensively,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black, who is fresh off a championship in the 26th Southeast Asian Games.
Ateneo also showcased swift ball movement as they registered 28 assists compared to UC’s 12 and limited its turnovers to just nine compared to 17.
UAAP finals MVP Nico Salva also delivered 18 points while the lanky JP Erram, who gave the Blue Eagles it’s biggest advantage at 99-48 at the tailend of the game, added 13 points and two rebounds.
Ateneo, hoping to retain its title in the PCCL this year, will shoot for the number one spot which will have a twice-to-beat incentive in the finals.
Fajardo, who will be playing for the San Miguel team in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) this coming January after his stint with the UC Webmasters, scattered 12 points and hauled down nine boards in the 14 minutes he spent in the court.
“Fajardo is a very good player. He’s played well every game I coached against his team,” added Black.
By Celest R. Flores
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