Ateneo demolishes UP with 28-point rout; Mapua continues to surprise

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the same team yesterday in the 2018 SMART City Hoops Summer Classic, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles vented their ire on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with a 28-point rout, 100-72, Sunday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Blue Eagles remain spotless with a 3-0 slate, while the Fighting Maroons slid to a disappointing 0-3 record in Group A of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup presented by Chooks-to-Go.

In the end of the first half, although Ateneo were at an advantage, UP were able to keep the lead to only six, 44-38. However, come the third quarter, Ateneo’s flowy offense earned them a 13-point lead, sealed with a putback by Ivorian student-athlete Angelo Kouame. Paul Desiderio tried to stop the bleeding for UP, but Ateneo’s well-oiled machine proved to be too much.

By the final frame, Ateneo’s momentum was unstoppable. Through collective efforts from incoming rookie SJ Belangel, senior point guard Matt Nieto, and fifth-year senior Anton Asistio, the Blue Eagles’ lead ballooned to 35 points, 98-63, with 2:19 left to play courtesy of an Asistio triple.

Even with the game already theirs, Ateneo were not complacent, and still enforced a pressuring defense over the hapless Fighting Maroons.

“I was pleased with our defense. If the pressure does not come from the opponent, the pressure is going to come from the coaching staff,” Blue Eagles head tactician Tab Baldwin said.

Asistio tallied 14 points, while Raffy Verano added 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals.

In a losing effort, Bright Akhuetie had a 20-point game with six rebounds. Desiderio chipped in 14 points.

The Blue Eagles will try to extend their winning streak to four against the University of the East Red Warriors on May 4 at 12:30pm. By 6:30pm on the same day, the Fighting Maroons will try to debut in the winning column versus the National University Bulldogs.

Earlier in the day, Yankie Haruna towed the College of Saint Benilde Blazers with 16 points to open their preseason campaign with a victory at the expense of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 104-83.

The Heavy Bombers slipped to a 0-2 record at Group B.

MJ Dela Virgen scored the most for JRU with 15 points and four rebounds.

In the second game, Christian Bunag the Mapua University Cardinals with 17 points to list their second straight win in Group A against the debuting the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 77-74.

On May 2, EAC will meet the UE Red Warriors next at 10:00am, while Mapua will take on the NU Bulldogs at 12:30pm. Saint Benilde wil meet the San Sebastian Golden Stags at 2:15pm.

On the other hand, JRU will face the Far Eastern Univesity Tamaraws for their next assignment on May 8, at 2:15pm.

The Scores:

First Game:

CSB 104 – Haruna 16, Pasturan 13, Dixon 13, Young 9, Gutang 8, Nayve 8, Leutcheu 7, Domingo 7, Ocampo 6, Naboa 5, Pagulayan 4, Barnes 4, Velasco 3, Flores 0, Carlos 0.

JRU 83 – Dela Virgen 15, Bordon 15, Steinl 10, Mendoza 7, Dulalia 7, Estrella 6, Perez 5, Ramos 4, Ocay 4, Yu 3, Dela Rosa 3, Silvarez 2, Esquerra 2, De Guzman 0, Serafica 0

Quarterscores: 32-13, 52-38, 80-58, 104-83

Second Game:

MU 77 – Bunag 17, Victoria 14, Bonifacio 10, Lugo 9, Gamboa 8, Serrano 6, Pelayo 4, Jabel 4, Biteng 2, Salenga 2, Aguirre 1, Pajarillo 0, Garcia 0.

EAC 74 – Maguliano 10, Tampoc 10, Garcia 9, Diego 9, Robin 9, Natividad 6, Cruz 5, Corilla 4, Mendoza 3, Gonzales 3, Fuentes 2, Umali 2, Cadua 1, Martin 1, Altamirano 0, Estacio 0, Neri 0

Quarterscores: 19-10, 36-27, 62-51, 77-74

Third Game:

ADMU 100 – Asistio 14, Verano 11, Nieto 10, Wong 10, Maagdenberg 9, Belangel 8, Go 7, Ravena 5, Mendoza 5, Kouame 4, White 4, Malilin 4, Mamuyac 3, Tio 3, Nieto 3

UP 72 – Akhuetie 20, Desiderio 14, Juan Gomez de Liano 9, Murrell 9, Vito 5, Manzo 4, Javi Gomez de Liano 4, Prado 2, Dario 2, Santiago 2, Gozum 1, Jaboneta 0, Longa 0, Lim 0

Quarterscores: 17-13, 44-38, 69-58, 100-72