Despite a slight hiccup, the result of league-leading Ateneo de Manila University and the cellar-dwelling University of the East was never in doubt.
The defending UAAP champions cruised to their 35th straight win after romping the winless Red Warriors with a 76-63 triumph, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Unlike their 94-72 victory last April 7, the Blue Eagles did not need a third-quarter surge to dispose of the Red Warriors.
Up by just three after the first 10 minutes of action, Ateneo limited UE to just three points in the second quarter.
“Out scrambling in that quarter was exceptional. So when we work caught out of position — whichever group was out on the floor, they did a good job covering for one another,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “It wasn’t like UE was throwing the ball away, we only had three steals at the half. UE had to search for good scoring opportunities and I thought that our rebounding was good in the second quarter as well.”
On the offensive end, the duo of BJ Andrade and SJ Belangel took turns in making it rain on UE to give the blue shirts an imposing 38-20 lead that eventually went up to 23, 51-28, early in the third canto.
Though UE was able to cut the lead down to 10, 54-44, late in the third canto, a backbreaking buzzer-beater by Josh Lazaro stopped the momentum of the Red Warriors.
“UE and Coach Jamike always play a spoiling role. We did enough to win but we’re not happy with the efficiency of our offense,” rued Baldwin
Angelo Kouame then put the finishing touches on the game, helping restore the double-digit lead in the final frame.
Ateneo, which has yet to lose a game since October 10, 2018, has assured itself of at least a playoff berth with its ninth win of the season.
Andrade notched a career-high of 19 points — 12 coming in the first half — built on five treys. Kouame once again had a sensational MVP-type outing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, a block, and a steal while Belangel added 13 points, two steals, and two assists.
On the other end, with UE’s ninth straight loss, it is now on the brink of elimination.
Nico Paranada was the high-point man for UE with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Clint Escamis scattered 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals while Harvey Pagsanjan added 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Jamike Jarin continued to sit as chief tactician for the Red Warriors for the fifth straight game as Jack Santiago was still under school investigation for the incident that happened between him and Ricci Rivero back on April 2.
Ateneo will open the 10th round of the elimination round on Thursday against University of Santo Tomas at 10:00 AM. Later in the day, UE will look to finally notch its first win when they face De La Salle University at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
Ateneo 76 — Andrade 19, Kouame 15, Belangel 13, Verano 6, Ildefonso 5, Lazaro 4, Chiu 4, Koon 3, Mamuyac 3, Tio 3, Padrigao 2, Mendoza 0, Daves 0, Gomez 0.
UE 63 –– N. Paranada 18, Escamis 13, Pagsanjan 11, K. Paranada 7, Lorenzana 5, J. Cruz 3, Beltran 2, Tulabut 2, Sawat 2, Villanueva 0, Guevarra 0, Abatayo 0, P. Cruz 0, Antiporda 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 38-20, 56-44, 76-63.
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