* The thing that struck me most about this game, is the fact that after Rabeh, it was two of the highly-regarded rookies last year that followed him, namely Ryan Buenafe and Nico Salva. Against a very tough team in FEU. I hope those two finally lives up to the hype they were in coming out of high school.
* After a good pre-season, JR Cawaling has gone missing again. Ryan clearly won the battle of the small forwards ....
**************************
http://www.inboundpass.com/2009/07/13/ateneo-pulls-off-escape-act-over-feu/
Ateneo Pulls Off Escape Act Over FEU
by Mia Domingo
ATENEO DE MANILA University’s championship mettle was put to the test – one that it passed.
The Blue Eagles proved to be the more composed team down the stretch as they held off a late Far Eastern University charge, 63-59, in UAAP Season 72 opening weekend action at the Araneta Coliseum last July 12.
Ateneo sophomore Ryan Buenafe’s split charities from the free throw line with 13.6 seconds left proved to be the game-winner as Tamaraws rookie guard RR Garcia botched a contested three-pointer that would have sent the game into overtime.
Season 72 Most Valuable Player Rabeh Al-Hussaini converted on a couple of crucial baskets down the stretch that gave the Blue Eagles a seven-point edge, 61-54, after FEU had staged a rally to knot the game at 54-all. Al-Hussaini, playing in his final year, scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Before that sequence, Ateneo seemed to have the game under control, leading by as many as 12, 37-25, after a Nico Salva triple with 2:14 left in the first half. FEU veterans Aldrech Ramos and Mark Barroca, though, brought the Tams back to life. All in all, Ramos and Barroca tallied 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Aiding the cause of the defending champions was Nonoy Baclao, who, despite being held scoreless, caromed 11 boards and swatted away five FEU shots. Returnee Emman Monfort was also a key cog off the bench, scoring eight points.
After the game, Ateneo coach Norman Black said, “We played pretty well in the first half. This is not a statement game because coming into the game, we knew we will be playing the toughest team in the league today, and this is a confidence booster that we beat them. FEU is very athletic and I’m glad we were able to match up with it. I hope we win a lot more. [Also, Monfort] has been playing really well in practice and I’m glad he delivered today.”
The scores:
Ateneo 63 – Al-Hussaini 18, Buenafe 10, Salva 9, Salamat 8, Monfort 8, Reyes 7, Long 3, Golla 0, Chua 0, Baclao 0, Austria 0.
FEU 59 – Ramos 15, Barroca 12, Noundou 9, Garcia 8, Cervantes 6, Cawaling 4, Sanga 3, Knuttel 2, Exciminiano 0, Eguilos 0, Caluag 0.
Quarter scores: 17-11, 40-29, 50-47, 63-59.
But I read somewhere that he is not exactly a rookie, but a transferee out of Baste (he was included in the Stags' 2005 roster). So he isn't exactly a young gun.
