26 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
ANTIPOLO – Ateneo De Manila University continues their winning ways, inches closer to a season sweep after defeating National University, 88-51, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The defending champions dominated the game from the get-go as they went on for an 11-0 run after NU’s first basket of the game, and eventually settled for a 10-point lead, 22-12.
The Bulldogs tried to do their best to cut the lead to a single-digit, but the Blue Eagles increased it by as much as 37 points in the second half, and never looked back.
“This was satisfying. Two weeks in a row, we’ve come out with a great attitude and it’s been reflected in the way they played,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin post-game. “The pace of the game, the defensive intensity, the rebounding, these are the things that make coaches proud.”
All Ateneo players wound up with a basket, except one. The team also became the first one to score the most baskets in a single game this season.
Ange Kouame paced Ateneo with a double-double record of 17 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with three blocks, and three assists, while Thirdy Ravena had 15 markers, four boards, and three dimes.
With the win, the Blue Eagles improved to a 13-0 win-loss record for the top spot in the team standings. They are also just a win away from claiming an elimination round sweep.
“The major issue for us is how we play against UP. What are our tactics? What are our strategies? How do we execute? How do we anticipate what they might do?” coach Baldwin added on an elims sweep. “We do the best of our ability to tune all that out. And just stay focused on the job, it doesn’t change.”
They will have to defeat top contender University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena to automatically advance into the Finals and force a stepladder playoffs.
On the other hand, NU failed to make a comeback and succumbed to their fourth straight loss to settle with a 2-11 slate, despite efforts by Shaun Ildefonso’s 21 points among the other players.
The Scores:
ATENEO 88 – Kouame 17, Ravena 15, Tio 9, Wong 8, Belangel 7, Mamuyac 5, Nieto Mi 5, Andrade 4, Daves 4, Go 4, Mallillin 4, Chiu 3, Maagdenberg 3, Nieto Ma 0
NU 51 – Ildefonso S 21, Gallego 9, Tibayan 8, Minerva 4, Clemente 3, Gaye 2, Ildefonso D 2, Rangel 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mangayao 0, Mosqueda 0, Oczon 0, Yu 0
QUARTER SCORES: 22-12, 44-27, 65-36, 88-51
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