A fully energized Ateneo Blue Eagles ran roughshod over archrival De La Salle, 79-62, to secure their 11th straight win and twice-to-beat incentive going to the Final Four of UAAP Season 74 men's caging at the Araneta Coliseum.
Nico Salva (19 points), Kiefer Ravena (13), Emman Monfort (13) and Tonino Gonzaga (12) spearheaded Ateneo's surge in the second leading to the rout that not only assured them of a Top 2 finish after the elims but also moved them closer to a 14-game sweep.
"It's important for the players to just focus on the next game against UP, then against NU then against Adamson," said coach Norman Black, who also logged his 90th victory as AdMU tactician since 2005.
"We've talked about it (sweep) this week just to get it out in the open and we just decided to take it one game at a time. But if we get the opportunity to score a sweep then we'll go for it," he added.
A sweep would give Ateneo an automatic slot in the finals, where they will enjoy a thrice-to-beat bonus.
Unlike in their 74-70 win over University of the East where Black complained that energy level was low, the Eagles were fully energized and focused against the Archers, storming to leads that reached a high of 21 (78-57) despite the foul trouble of Greg Slaughter.
"We didn't have to motivate them that much whenever they play La Salle," said Black. "We understand they (Archers) really needed this game to try to get into the Final Four and we just wanted to come out and beat them."
Slaughter scored only eight points in 18 minutes, committing two quick fouls in the first and picking up his third in the penultimate period.
"I gambled a little bit by leaving Greg in the game with three fouls in the third. I think that made a big difference," said Black, noting how Slaughter's presence opened it up for Ateneo's perimeter shooters and slashers.
Arnold Van Opstal shot 13 for La Salle, which plummeted to 4-7. - Olmin Leyba
The scores:
Ateneo 79 - Salva 19, Ravena 13, Monfort 13, Gonzaga 12, Slaughter 8, Chua 7, Long 6, Tiongson 1, Erram 0, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0, Austria 0.
La Salle 62 - Van Opstal 13, Vosotros 9, Tampus 9, Torres 8, Revilla 6, Villanueva 6, Atkins 4, Dela Paz 3, Paredes 2, Webb 2, Gotladera 0, Mendoza 0, Marata 0.
Quarters: 14-11, 31-26, 53-42, 79-62