Eagles score sky-high win over Altas

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo used a torrid second half attack to stymie University of Perpetual Help-Dalta System and cruise to a 78-62 victory yesterday in the 2009 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Rabeh Al Husseini, last year’s UAAP MVP, ran rings around his defenders in the paint all-game, coming away with 24 points, including five in a telling third quarter 13-0 run that put the Eagles beyond reach, 66-48.

Eric Salamat added 18 and Kirk Long chipped in 12 for the Eagles, who improved to 3-1 (win-loss) for the lead in Group A.

The Altas fell to 1-1 in Group B.

The Altas kept the game close in the first half, trailing by just four, 38-42, at the end of the half.

But the Eagles toughened up on defense and stepped up their attack at the onset of the third quarter as Salamat and Al-Husseini hit their strides. The Loyola-based squad then poured it all out in the fourth en route to the victory.

“We basically had the same defense as the first half, with more intensity, a little bit more effort,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “In the first half, we did not do a very good job in closing out their shooters, even though we know they’re a very good shooting team but in the second half we did a better job in getting on top of their shooters, to try and take away their outside shots.”

The scores:

First Game

Ateneo 78 - Al Husseini 24, Salamat 18, Long 12, Baclao 8, Salva 6,   Tiongson 2, Reyes 2, Golla 2, De Chavez 2, Baldos 2, Austria 0, Burke 0, Sumalinog 0, Chua 0.

Perpetual 62 - Ynion 18, Salanga 13, Vivero 10, Galabin 9, Elopre 6, Liaz 3, Rono 3, Suyat 0, Hainga 0, Sicat 0, Villadores 0.

Quarterscores: 26 -20, 42-38, 66-48, 78-62