It was another one-sided affair in the latest episode of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry.
The Blue Eagles forced the Green Archers in a maze of errors in the second half to secure a 79-62 rout in front of just 14,229 fans at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The win earned the Loyola-based squad a perfect 11-0 slate and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
Kiefer Ravena had another solid game, so did Eman Monfort. Greg Slaughter was in foul trouble but eventually got himself involved in the fourth quarter and Nico Salva scored the chunk of Ateneo's points in the second half to beat their archrivals for the 11th time in the last 14 games.
But it was reserve Tonito Gonzaga who stood out in this match. The lefty who at times make Manu Ginobili-like layups had a career-high 12 points and also did his usual dirty work on both ends, particularly in the third period when the Eagles forced the Archers into several turnovers that easily led to transition baskets.
For his scrappy job, Gonzaga also had four rebounds, three assists and two steals in just 21 minutes, earning him a huge ovation from the Ateneo crowd and probably a thumbs up sign from owners playing that UAAP Fantasy Basketball on PBFantasy.com.
Gonzaga, who is sometimes confused to the famed actress, has made strides since his rookie year in 2008. Most of his appearances that year came during garbage time, displaying glimpses of promise.
He slowly rose up in the Eagles rotation, even as veteran wingmen began to depart. Last season, Gonzaga, fondly called as "Zags", had a minor role in the team's hard-fought three-peat and this year, his minutes somehow grew thanks to his hardworking effort.
He's a "coaches player", some sportswriters and observers believed and Ateneo taskmaster Norman Black is glad to have him on the lineup.
"He's been very consistent coming off the bench," Black said of Gonzaga. "He's probably our best bench player this year and he comes off and gives energy every single game so tonight was a good offensive night for him and he always plays good defense."
It was another disappointing loss for the Archers, who are now two back of University of Santo Tomas in the race for the No. 4 spot.
The dominance of Ateneo and the otherwise inconsistency of La Salle perhaps encourage some fans not to watch the 67th tussle of these two nemesis in the UAAP since 1986.
Saved for a La Salle fan who had a shouting match with UAAP president Ricky Palou of host Ateneo for heckling commissioner Andy Jao and his crew, there were no fireworks in this match.
In fact, about 60, maybe 70 or even 75 percent of the crowd were bleeding blue while there were several seats left in the cheap bleachers section on the green side.
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