AdMU vs AdU: A real defensive matchup

MANILA, Philippines - The results of the two games that went to their favor notwithstanding, Ateneo coach Norman Black believes taking on Adamson will be no easy task.

 “We’ve had really tough games against Adamson, both games could have gone either way,” said Black, referring to their 69-66 and 55-52 wins back in the elims.

This owes to the fact that both the Eagles and the Falcons put premium on defense. Ateneo ranked first in limiting their opponents (62.9) and in holding down the rivals’ shooting efficiency (34.5 percent) and second in steal (6.1). Adamson was No. 2 in points allowed (63.8) and the best in steal (7.6)

“It will probably be a defensive struggle. If you pit the league’s No. 1 and No. 2 teams in defense, it’s going be a real scramble just to score baskets,” said Black.

In their previous meetings, the Eagles managed to shoot 40 percent from the field in the first and 32.3 percent in the second while shackling the Falcons to inefficient marks of 35.8 percent and 28.8 percent. The Eagles won the rebounding battle on both occasions, 44-37, and 51-37.

But the Falcons took better care of the basketball, forcing Ateneo to 17 errors against their 13 in the first and 14 versus 9 in the second. They got more points off turnovers in the last encounter, 9-4.

Big men Ryan Buenafe (12 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.5 apg vs AdU) and Nico Salva (11.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg) emerged as the Ateneans’ leaders against Adamson, outplaying AdU frontliners Eric Camson (2.5 ppg, 7 rpg) and Jan Colina (6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) in their two meetings.

Guard Lester Alvarez (19.5 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3 spg vs AdMU) played exceptionally well against Ateneo, as did Alex Nuyles (16 ppg, 5 rpg).

“The two teams have little secrets on offense and defense to each other so I think execution will be very, very important. The team that executes well will have the edge in this matchup,” he said.

For Adamson, there’s the hunger factor. Need we say that the Falcons have not won a title since Hector Calma brought the hardware to their San Marcelino campus in 1977?

“This is a rare opportunity for Adamson so we’ll prepare hard for this,” said Leo Austria, who previously steered AdU to a Final Four stint in 2006 but got sideswiped by the very school they are facing this season.

Then there’s the chance to give Adamson its first win over Ateneo since a 54-52 verdict way back September 18,1997.

“We want to break that 27-game losing streak, of course,” said Austria.

His players can’t wait to get back at AdMU, the only F4 team to dodge the Falcons’ upset axe.

“We haven’t beaten Ateneo so we really want to beat them in the Final Four. They have a debt to pay,” said Austin Manyara. “In our last two games against them, I feel we played actually played better but just lost in the fourth quarter. If we can minimize our turnovers then we can beat them.”