11 November 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo De Manila University showed why they were such a force to be reckoned with as they annihilated their archrival De La Salle University, 71-62, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, Ateneo claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year with an 11-2 win-loss record and secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the tournament.
Meanwhile, second-running Adamson University has also been assured of a twice-to-beat.
Down two points early in the third quarter, 47-49, a perfect assist to big man Angelo Kouame saw him fly through the air for a slam dunk that boosted the Blue Eagles take an 11-3 run for a 58-52 lead.
Ateneo never let go of their post with Thirdy Ravena capping off another Ateneo rally with a triple that gave them a 71-58 advantage.
La Salle never recovered as they continued to struggle from the field, while Ateneo did the finishing touches of their victory.
Ravena finished with a double-double record of 14 points and 10 rebounds on top of two blocks off the bench, while Kouame had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double as well.
On the other hand, Aljun Melecio led La Salle with 13 markers, while Justine Baltazar had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Santi Santillan chipped in 10 markers and eight rebounds as the Green Archers dropped to an 8-5 slate, which still does not guarantee them a place in the Final Four.
They will have to win their final game in the elimination round against University of the Philippines on Wednesday for a sure shot in the playoffs.
The Scores:
ATENEO 71 – Ravena 14, Kouame 11, Verano 9, Navarro 7, Nieto Mi 7, Nieto Ma 6, Tio 5, Mamuyac 5, Asistio 3, Go 3, Daves 1, Mendoza 0, Wong 0
LA SALLE 62 – Melecio 13, Baltazar 12, Santillan 10, Caracut 8, Samuel 8, Manuel 5, Montalbo 2, Bates 2, Serrano 2, Go 0
QUARTER SCORES: 18-22, 35-35, 54-50, 71-62
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