With its composure personified by SJ Belangel and Gian Mamuyac, Ateneo de Manila University got its 34th straight win courtesy of a 75-68 victory over archrival De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament second round, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Mamuyac and Belangel, who scored 15 points each, converted baskets in crucial moments to help the Blue Eagles extend their mastery over the Green Archers to seven consecutive wins starting from 2017.
“We really had to make adjustments,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. “I thought La Salle’s discipline on defense was outstanding. We figured a few things out in the second half.”
With the game close at 35-32 by halftime, Ateneo went on its routine third-quarter rampage.
An unsportsmanlike foul by Joaqui Manuel at the 7:18 mark towards center Ange Kouame woke the Blue Eagles up and they went on a 22-8 run capped off by Matthew Daves’ basket to lead 57-40 at the 2:20 mark.
La Salle was able to cut the lead to 55-65 in the fourth quarter off a Deschon Winston move, only for Ateneo to execute a 6-0 run capped off by captain Gian Mamuyac’s lay-up to restore the Blue Eagles’ control of the game at 71-55 with 5:18 remaining.
“Our press really helped us out in the second half,” added Baldwin. “We got some timely turnovers and we got some easy points. We got a little separation in the game and it kinda changed the complexion of the game.”
The Green Archers did not bow down easily though as they enacted a 13-4 run capped off by an Evan Nelle basket to cut the lead to 68-75 but it was simply a case of too little too late.
Dave Ildefonso and BJ Andrade contributed nine points each while Ange Kouame flirted with a double-double of seven points and nine rebounds.
On the other hand, Kurt Lojera had a career game with 21 points and six rebounds followed by Evan Nelle’s 20 points.
Deschon Winston had 10 points and Justine Baltazar had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Phillips had 10 rebounds.
Both schools shall resume their campaigns on Tuesday. La Salle (5-3) plays University of Santo Tomas at 12:30 PM while Ateneo (8-0) takes on University of the East at 4:30 PM.
The Scores:
Ateneo 75 – Belangel 15, Mamuyac 15, Ildefonso 9, Andrade 9, Kouame 7, Tio 6, Verano 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 2, Lazaro 0, Mendoza 0.
La Salle 68 – Lojera 21, Nelle 20, Winston 10, Baltazar 10, Phillips M 3, Nonoy 3, Manuel 0, Phillips B 0, Cuajao 0, Nwankwo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 35-32, 60-47, 75-68.
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