ANTIPOLO — There was no stopping Angelo Kouame and Ateneo de Manila University from closing in on an elimination round sweep as it waylaid National University, 88-51, in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Ynares Center.
Kouame scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half to set the tone for another blowout, as the Blue Eagles remain immaculate in the season with a 13-0 record.
“It’s satisfying. Two weeks in a row, two games in a row, we’ve come out with a great attitude,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said.
Taking a 44-27 lead at the half, the Blue Eagles then came up as if they were trailing. They put the shackles on the Bulldogs after the interval as they limited to just nine points.
It would only get worse for the Bulldogs from there.
Ateneo’s lead only continued to balloon, as everyone Tab Baldwin put on the floor contributed. The Blue Eagles’ performances then resulted in the biggest winning margin of the season for Ateneo.
“Sure we put points on the board, made some shots, but I think what we really focused on was our defense and rebounding,” Baldwin continued.
“We’ve seen our team, really, transfer the work ethic from practice to the court, into the game, and that’s gratifying as a coach.”
Thirdy Ravena added 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, as everyone with the exception of starting guard Matt Nieto got into the scoreboard.
Shaun Ildefonso paced the Bulldogs with 21 points, but that went for naught as they dropped their fourth straight match to fall to 2-11.
The unforgiving Ateneo defense limited NU’s leading scorer Dave Ildefonso was limited to a career-low two points on 1-of-5 shooting, after averaging 16 points for the season.
NU next plays the UE Red Warriors in a battle of this season’s also-rans on Wednesday, October 30, 10:30am. Meanwhile, Ateneo looks to book its outright ticket to the Finals with a sweep of the UP Fighting Maroons on the same day at 4:00pm. Both games will be at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
ADMU 88 – Kouame 17, Ravena 15, Tio 9, Wong 8, Belangel 7, Mamuyac 5, Mi. Nieto 5, Andrade 4, Daves 4, Go 4, Malilin 4, Chiu 3, Maagdemberg 3, Ma. Nieto 0
NU 51 – S. Ildefonso 21, Gallego 9, Tibayan 8, Minerva 4, Clemente 3, Gaye 2, D. Ildefonso 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mangayao 0, Mosqueda 0, Oczon 0, Yu 0
Quarterscores: 22-12, 44-27, 65-36, 88-51
