Eagles in Game 1

Nico Salva
(image by UAAP Sports)

ONE WIN AWAY

Eagles clinched their first win in the Best-of-Three Finals against FEU Tams, 82-64.

MR. PERFECT

Nico 'Salvage' Salva did no wrong in Game 1 of the UAAP Finals last Saturday(Sept.24). He scored a huge 24 points, grabbed 5 boards, dished 3 assists, got 2 blocks and became the Best Player of that game.

Salva had a perfect overall shooting game. He made 8 of 8 in the field and 8 of 8 in the free throw line. He never wasted any shot to helped his team secure their first win of the Finals.

In the first part of the opening quarter, Tams made a few jitters, turned the ball over a couple of times and the Eagles took advantage of that and scored quick 6 points. Garcia retaliates and attacked the defense of Eagles and Tams tied the game at 6 a piece. Romeo the anchor of Tams scored 10 points, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the first quarter alone, a big lift for the Tams. They shot 60% to start the game and made a strong act for by ending the first 10 minutes up by 5, 19-14.

The 2nd quarter was a totally different story, although Tams had the momentum at the start, the Blue Eagles never gave them a chance to pull away. Tams posted their biggest lead of the game in the 7 minute mark of the 2nd quarter with 10 points, 26-16 then suddenly Eagles made a 14-2 run, and took the lead 30-28. The Blue Eagles forced FEU to commit 6 turnovers in that run and ended the first half tied at 33. Despite the poor performance of Slaughter in the first two quarters, Ravena and Salva both scored 10 points to even the game.

A hard fought start in the second half, both team wants to break away. They exchanged baskets, neither team wants to give way, but when the score reached 43-43, FEU broke down. Ateneo, again made a rally, this time a 10-2 run in the last 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter that gave them an 8-point lead, 53-45. Ravena ended the quarter with a floater and posted a 60-49 in favor of ADMU.

Blue Eagles had their biggest lead in the 1:45 mark of the final quarter, 78-58. Monfort made the only 3-point shot of the Eagles and he was also successful on limiting the reigning MVP RR Garcia's points production.

Terrence Romeo
(image by UAAP Sports)

THE LONE TAMARAW

Romeo continued his scoring and he had a 23 point performance but only Escoto's 9 points helped him to fight the aggressive attack of the Blue Eagles. FEU made 15 turnovers, 12 second chance points and 28 perimeter points. Tams made their average winning output, but the Blue Eagles really played exceptional.

ADMU won in the rebounding department, 30-36 and they made a very huge run in the 2nd half of the game, 42-20 run to bury the Tams in their first game of the Finals.

Defense will the key for the Tams to win a game against the Eagles and they need to play physical to disrupt the flow of Ateneo.

Win or Go Home for the Tams next game. How will they handle the pressure? They are not new in the situation because they just went to a Twice-to-Beat game against AdU Falcons and they survived it. Can they do it again?

GAME 2 of the FINALS
FEU TAMARAWS vs ADMU BLUE EAGLES
3:00 pm @ Smart Araneta Coliseum
2:00 pm will be the Season's Awarding
(simulcast at ABS-CBN channel 2)

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