JC Intal fired 20 points, including a one-handed slam in the last seven seconds of play as the Eagles notched their second straight victory without Fonacier, out of the season after sustaining an ACL injury during the Eagles encounter with the UP Maroons last week.
"Tougher games are ahead of us," said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Actually, the Eagles’ last two victories were hard-earned, including their 58-55 thriller of a win over Adamson last Sunday where they had to fight back from 20 points down and call on LA Tenorio in the dying seconds to turn back the Falcons.
Yesterday, it was Intal’s turn to shine as the lanky Ateneo forward came through with that big offensive game while pulling down 14 rebounds and dishing off a couple of assists in a 28-minute stint on the floor.
With Alex Miclat on the firing end, the Bulldogs even seized control in the first quarter, 18-16, and forced a 33-all count at the turn. Even when the Eagles tried to pull away in the fourth, the Bulldogs gave chase and stayed within 52-53.
But that proved to be the closest NU could get as Ateneo unleashed a strong finishing kick with slotman Paolo Bugia scoring five of the Eagles’ next seven points.
"Now, we can focus on our next opponent," added Arespacochaga, referring to the Eagles’ keenly-awaited match with the defending champion Far Eastern U Tams Sunday.
The Tams survived a gritty UP side and hacked out a 63-56 win in the other contest for their fifth win against a loss. The Maroons reeled to their sixth straight setback.