With Papi Sarr out due to a groin injury, Chibueze Ikeh was able to spark the Ateneo de Manila University during the Blue Eagles’ 85-65 wire-to-wire win against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“It’s a good win for us. I guess we were a bit lucky that Papi Sarr wasn’t in the game,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga
The Nigerian student-athlete posted a double-double with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting to go along with 17 rebounds, 12 coming from the offensive end alone.
And he was instrumental during Ateneo’s strong start, scoring nine in the opening frame alone.
“We weren’t as surprised that Ikeh played a good game. He’s been playing well for us the past few weeks during our games and practices. He stepped up his game,” Arespecochaga remarked about Ikeh.
This is his best game since September 16, 2015, when he posted 14 points and 17 rebounds during Ateneo’s double overtime win against the National University Bulldogs.
Ateneo led by as many as 20 points, 59-39, during the third frame.
Kurt Loreja and Keith Zaldivar tried to give life to the struggling Soaring Falcons, cutting the lead to as low as nine points, 63-57 with 7:27 left. Thirdy Ravena though answered right back, scoring seven points in an 8-0 run to quell the Adamson comeback.
Ravena also finished with a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jolo Mendoza added 14 points off the bench.
Lojera and Zaldivar paced Adamson with 11 and 10 markers respectively as lead gunner Jerrick Ahanmisi struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-16 for nine markers.
The Blue Eagles imposed their athleticism on the Soaring Falcons, greatly winning the battle of the boards 60-35 that led to a 29-6 second chance points advantage.
Ateneo look to make it two in row on Wednesday, September 13, against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 4:00pm. Adamson, on the other hand, take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Saturday, September 16, at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
ADMU 85 – Ravena 20, Ikeh 18, Mendoza 14, Asistio 9, Tolentino 7, Go 4, Nieto Ma 3, White 3, Porter 3, Nieto Mi 2, Black 2, Verano 0, Mamuyac 0, Mallillin 0, Andrade 0.
ADU 65 – Lojera 11, Zaldivar 10, Ahanmisi 9, Manganti 9, Hill 6, Manalang 6, Pingoy 5, Ochea 3, Camacho 3, Bernardo 3, Chua 0, Mustre 0, Frias 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 43-28, 59-45, 85-65.
