Rabeh propels Eagles; Falcons topple Archers

MANILA, Philippines - Rabeh Al-Hussaini came out of a slump to fire a season-best 30 points as he powered Ateneo to an 80-75 victory over University of the East yesterday and regained the solo lead at the start of the second round elims of the UAAP seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The final score didn’t reflect the Eagles’ domination of the erratic Warriors, who trailed by double-digit deficits majority of the way until they waged a last-ditch rally down the stretch as the defending champions broke down in defense and sputtered in the closing seconds.

“We have a very sloppy fourth quarter, a lot of turnovers. The defense relaxed, luckily we have enough points off the board to win the game,” Ateneo coach Norman Black said.

Still, it was a big game for the hulking Al-Hussain despite coming out of a minor injury sustained against archrival La Salle, churning out a 30-point production, his best since he scored 33 points in a 66-72 loss to Far Eastern U last year.

The reigning MVP also hauled down 12 rebounds, another season high, as he steered the Eagles to their seventh victory against a lone loss for the solo lead.

“I’m happy for him because he’s been struggling lately,” said Black of his 6-foot-7 center, who wound up a disappointing eighth in the statistical race after the first round elims.

The Warriors, who dropped to 4-4, sorely missed the services of Pari Llagas, the team’s top scorer, rebounder and post defender, who was suspended for one game for nearly coming to blows with FEU’s Reil Cervantes last week.

“He’s (Llagas) a very good player, he’s their top scorer, top rebounder so I would have imagined his absence really hurt them,” said Black. “It’s not a problem though, we just went out what we’re set to do in this game.”

Earlier, Adamson finally pulled off a victory after a series of heartbreaking setbacks, beating La Salle, 61-55.

It was only the second win in eight games for the Falcons, who dropped four close games in the first round that could’ve gone either way.

“We know in our hearts that we still have a chance and the players believed,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria.