Ateneo de Manila University got one back over archrival De La Salle University, 68-54, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles and the Green Archers, who still played without Schonny Winston, entered the break knotted at 29-all.
Then it was all Ateneo after as the Blue Eagles built a 17-point separation heading into the fourth with a huge 27-10 third frame.
La Salle inched within 12 after trailing by 22, 49-61, with 4:25 left on the clock but that would be the closest it could get until the last minute.
“The third quarter was very telling. We defended great in the third quarter and that led to some easy points,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
Ange Kouame had a dominant 11 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals to avenge the Blue Eagles’ loss in the first round to their long-time rivals, 78-83.
Dave Ildefonso got 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Kai Ballungay, Forthsky Padrigao, and Chris Koon had 11 points apiece.
With the win, Ateneo improved to 6-3 to firm its hold of third, while pulling the Green Archers down to 3-6, their fourth consecutive defeat.
In effect, University of the Philippines formally clinched a Final Four seat.
Evan Nelle was the lone Green Archer in double figures with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
The Blue Eagles will return after the FIBA break against University of Santo Tomas while La Salle meets Adamson University.
The Scores:
Ateneo 68 — Ildefonso 12, Kouame 11, Ballungay 11, Koon 11, Padrigao 11, Andrade 8, Gomez 2, Chiu 2, Lazaro 0.
La Salle 54 –– Nelle 15, Nwankwo 7, Quiambao 6, Nonoy 6, Austria 5, Estacio 5, Manuel 4, M. Phillips 3, Abadam 2, Macalalag 1.
Quarterscores: 10-16, 29-29, 56-39, 68-54.
