Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Ateneo Blue Eagles show might, romp UP to sweep first round


Nine months after their finals showdown, the Ateneo de Manila University showed the University of the Philippines how far discipline can lead a team.

Defending two-time UAAP champions Blue Eagles showed uncanny poise and patience against last season’s foils, the Fighting Maroons, taking a masterful 89-63 win to close out the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ivorian slotman Ange Kouame was at the top of the mountain with his statline of 19 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocks, to complete the first round sweep at 7-0.

Matt Nieto nabbed a season-high 18 points, five boards, and three assists. Meanwhile, Will Navarro was deadly with his 14 points, six rebounds, and a block.

Thirdy Ravena chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while SJ Belangel scored 11 for the Ateneo victory in front of a capacity 19,861 gate attendance.

“I thought our guys played fairly and methodically,” said coach Tab Baldwin. “We didn’t get carried away with the crowd and the emotions. After all, it’s just a regular season game.”

The Blue Eagles were unflappable in the face of pressure, taking charge in the third quarter. They turned the game from a close 35-31 halftime lead to a 45-32 edge with 7:29 left.

Tensions continued to build, erupting when coach Bo Perasol was ejected at the 6:23 mark of the third quarter when he confronted a referee for what he felt were a series of non-calls.

That incident benefited Ateneo more as they continued to pad the lead, reaching its highest at 27, 89-62, thanks to a triple from Tyler Tio in the waning seconds.

#ReadMore  PBA PC POW Thompson puts up performance of a lifetime for Ginebra

Kobe Paras scored 15 points on a horrid 4-of-15 clip to lead UP.

Javi Gomez de Liano uncorked 14 points and two boards, while Jun Manzo got 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The defeat kept the Fighting Maroons in second place with their 5-2 win-loss slate.

The second round of begins next Saturday, October 5.


The Scores:

Ateneo 89 — Kouame 19, Ma. Nieto 18, Navarro 14, Ravena 13, Belangel 11, Tio 5, Wong 4, Go 3, Mamuyac 2, Andrade 0, Chiu 0, Credo 0, Daves 0, Maagdenberg 0, Mi. Nieto 0.

UP 63 — Paras 15, Ja. Gomez de Liano 14, Manzo 12, Ju. Gomez de Liano 8, Akhuetie 6, Rivero 6, Webb 2, Gob 0, Jaboneta 0, Mantilla 0, Murrell 0, Prado 0, Spencer 0, Tungcab 0.

Quarterscores: 15-21, 35-31, 61-46, 89-63.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

The dawn of 2024 heralds a new era for University of the Philippines as it proudly announces its partnership with the Bank of the...

Basketball

Phoenix sent Terrafirma skidding all of a sudden, 94-78, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig....

ADMU

Ever since committing to Ateneo de Manila University early this year, Jared Bahay has already trained with the Blue Eagles for a couple of...

ADMU

Gab Gomez announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and bid farewell to Ateneo de Manila University in a heartfelt social...

Basketball

TNT cut short Terrafirma’s unbeaten streak, 100-97, for its second win of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum....

Basketball

NorthPort rallied back from as much as 18 down and left Converge a frustrated bunch in overtime, 112-104, to barge into the win column...

Basketball

Terrafirma outlasted NLEX, 99-95, for a 2-0 start in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Free throws by...

Basketball

William Navarro likes the potential he sees after NorthPort finally played as a complete unit in its PBA Season 48 Philippines Cup debut, Friday...

Advertisement