Eagles escape on Intal’s heroics

Ateneo star forward JC Intal came through with crucial plays in the last nine seconds and the Eagles preserved their clean slate in the 2006 UAAP basketball tournament with a 66-65 squeaker over the Adamson Falcons yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

Intal scored on a short jumper off Patrick Cabahug then teamed up with Macky Escalona for a crucial defensive stop on Marvin Polayapoy on Adamson’s return play as the Eagles avoided what could have been a first defeat in seven starts in the season.

"Adamson will always be a tough match-up for us because they have the size. We also had difficulty shaking off rustiness coming off an 11-day break," said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

"Coach Leo Austria did a good job and only in the second half we did recognize what he’ s doing," Black added.

Adamson gave Ateneo a big scare but went short in its bid to snap a 17-game losing streak in its match-up with the Eagles dating back to 1997.

The Falcons fell to 3-5 this season despite another impressive performance from center Kenneth Bono who churned out 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Earlier, Far Eastern U seized control early with UP ace point guard Marvin Cruz riding the bench the entire first half, streaking to a fourth straight win by whipping the Maroons, 89-76.

"We challenged their shooters and stopped their transition game. We also had a big break with Cruz not playing in the first half," said FEU coach Bert Flores on their fourth consecutive victory following four successive losses.

"He played only 16 minutes in the second half and yet he still led UP with 15 points. Good for more than 20 points if he had played in the first half," Flores added.

Cruz sobbed as he hugged teammate Nestor David at midcourt after the final buzzer.

He committed eight turnovers, including two costly ones at endgame as the Maroons suffered a 104-107 defeat to the National U Bulldogs in their previous game Sunday.

Jonas Villanueva frolicked on the floor with Cruz still on the bench, rifling in 13 points, and the Tamaraws sat on a 51-40 cushion at halftime.

The Tamaraws went to work early, erecting a 24-15 lead in the first period and sustaining a solid job all the way to the finish.

"We have a good run which hopefully serves as in good stead as we play UE Sunday," said Flores.