ATENEO AND ADAMSON OFF TO A GREAT START #UAAP79

By Maxine Louise Lagman

September 4, 2016

WITH ten minutes on the clock, the Ateneo Blue Eagles pushed hard to conquer the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers with 73-69, earning their first victory on the opening game of UAAP season 79 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Tab Baldwin, who debuts as Ateneo’s active consultant, led the Blue Eagles to a hot start as the team’s outside shooting beat the host, UST.

It was not a smooth claim of victory for the Blue Eagles, as they were only up with 52-51, entering the fourth quarter.

However, Aaron Black and Thirdy Ravena led Ateneo to a 7-point lead, separating themselves from the Growling Tigers.

UST did not back down easily as they closed in the score to five, 71-66, with 54.5 seconds left on the last period.

Despite UST Team Captain Louie Vigil’s best efforts to push his pack to victory, his 21 points and Joco Macasaet’s 12 points and 9 rebounds, the Tigers still fell short over the Eagles.

Aaron Black, son of former Ateneo coach Norman Black, led the Blue Eagles with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

While Thirdy Ravena, younger brother of UAAP MVP Kiefer, makes a name for himself, as he finished off with 17 points. Mike Nieto and Anton Asistio contributed a number of three-point shots, which helped Ateneo claim their first victory.

On the other hand, Adamson rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi led the Falcons to a triumphant win over the Fighting Maroons, 104-85.

Ahanmisi, younger brother of Rain or Shine Maverick, let six out of his seven triples rain inside the court. He finished off a topping 28-point record setting a new high for most points scored by a rookie since advanced technologies started to handle the UAAP statistics in 2002.

The Falcons displayed great tenacity over the game putting a 19-point lead in the third quarter and forbidden the Maroons to taste a lead in the game.

With Coach Franz Pumaren’s return to the UAAP, Adamson sees a high hope for the team to get stronger and better in the upcoming games.