Defending UAAP champion Ateneo de Manila University advanced to the PCCL National Championship after handing University of the Visayas a 32-point beating, 95-63, at the Ynares Sports Arena, Saturday.
Tyler Tio caught fire off the bench, pouring 14 points built on three triples to power Ateneo’s 33-point point fourth quarter.
Besides their offensive showcase, the Blue Eagles also turned it up a notch on the defensive end. They collectively held the Green Lancers to just six points in the final frame.
Ateneo then chalked up its biggest lead of the game at 32, 95-63, off a three-pointer from Gian Mamuyac with eight ticks left to play.
“Actually, there’s no first unit and second unit. Everybody has to plug in, everybody has to contribute. As long as their number is called up, they have to perform,” said Ateneo assistant coach Gabby Severino, who called the shots in lieu of Tab Baldwin.
The Katipunan-based squad started the game with a 16-2 rally, before UV came within one in the second period.
“They played tough. They were physical so we got bothered in the first half, but we got our bearings. We went back to basic things, nothing special,” Severino added.
SJ Belangel topped the scoring charts for Ateneo with 20 points laced with six rebounds and three steals.
Tio ended with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and three assists. Meanwhile, Will Navarro and Dwight Ramos had 14 and 11 points, respectively, while also combining for 13 boards.
Ange Kouame had nine points, nine boards, and seven blocked shots in the win.
On the other hand, Lassina Coulibaly posted 21 points and nine rebounds for the Green Lancers. Jan Cabahug and Michael Maestre added 11 points apiece in the loss.
Ateneo will face the winner between Luzon champion University of the Philippines and UAAP/NCAA Showdown runner-up San Beda University, tomorrow at 4 P.M. at the same venue.
UV, meanwhile, will await the loser of the other semis march-up.
The Scores:
ADMU 95 — Belangel 20, Tio 16, Navarro 14, D. Ramos 11, Kouame 9, Mamuyac 7, Mallillin 6, Credo 5, Daves 4, Chiu 2, E. Ramos 1, Fornilos 0, Berjay 0.
UV 63 — Coulibaly 21, Botuhan 12, Cabahug 11, Maestre 11, Maglasang 3, Delator 3, Cometa 2, Saga 0, Tarrosa 0.
Quarterscores: 22-10, 37-31, 62-57, 95-63.
