Ateneo de Manila University opened its World University Basketball Series campaign with a 125-39 demolition of Indonesia’s Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tuesday at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
The Blue Eagles displayed a complete show of force, dominating the Indonesians in both offense and defense.
The Blue Eagles raced to a 28-6 first period and never looked back since.
Ateneo followed it with another 28-point frame while limiting the Indonesians to just seven to enter the break with an insurmountable 43-point lead, 56-13.
But the Blue Eagles didn’t stop playing, extending their lead to 67 after a 34-10 third quarter capped by JC Fetalvero’s buzzer-beating three-pointer from the top of the key, 90-23.
Ateneo limited UPH to just nine made field goals, including just a sole conversion in the first half.
Paul Garcia, Joseph Obasa, Inand Fornillos, Jacob Lao, Sean Quitevis, Kai Ballungay, and Fetalvero made their 5-on-5 debuts for the Blue Eagles.
Garcia led Ateneo with 17 points while Ballungay got 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
Chris Koon and Forthsky Padrigao added 14 points apiece with the latter also dishing out six assists with four steals.
Geo Chiu also tallied a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds.
Mario Davidson led the Indonesian university with nine points.
Ateneo will next battle Chinese Taipei’s National Chengchi University tomorrow, 6:35 pm, at the same venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo 125 – Garcia 17, Ballungay 15, Koon 14, Padrigao 14, Obasa 12, Fetalvero 11, Chiu 10, Andrade 8, Lazaro 8, Fornilos 8, Lao 7, Quitevis 1.
UPH 39 – Davidson 9, Sebastian 8, Lensun 7, Nepabait 5, Endrianne 3, Puadawe 2, Kenneth 2, Izzatur 2, Sanjaya 1, Wongso 0, Otto 0, Nathaneal 0.
Quarterscores: 28-6, 56-13, 90-23, 125-39.
