16 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University still unbeaten in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament after surviving tough Far Eastern University, 65-55, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws outscored the Blue Eagles in the second quarter, 22-14, that gave them an 11-point advantage, 40-29. FEU stretched the lead by as much as 13 points before Ateneo blasted a 17-7 run to cut the deficit to one point at the third quarter.
Ateneo went in for a 5-0 run in the payoff period for a 51-47 advantage. FEU came as close as two points, 57-55, under four minutes remaining in the game after back-to-back triples from Ino Comboy.
But it was also FEU’s last score as Ange Kouame and Thirdy Ravena combined for back-to-back buckets to ice the game.
“Huge credit to coach Olsen Racela and his coaching staff for getting this team extremely well-prepared for that game,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin post-game. “The guys, they became who we believed we are in the second half.”
Kouame led Ateneo with a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double on top of four blocks, while Ravena flirted with a double-double record too with 10 markers and nine boards, to go with two assists and two steals as they kept a perfect 11-0 slate.
On the other hand, LJ Gonzales finished with 12 points, the lone double-digit scorer for FEU as they dropped to a 5-6 win-loss record for fifth place behind De La Salle University.
The Scores:
ATENEO 65 — Kouame 10, Ravena 10, Maagdenberg 9, Navarro 8, Wong 8, Belangel 5, Daves 4, Ma. Nieto 4, Mamuyac 3, Go 2, Mi. Nieto 2, Andrade 0, Tio 0.
FEU 55 — Gonzales 12, Bienes 8, Comboy 8, Tuffin 6, Cani 4, Ebona 4, Stockton 4, Tchuente 4, Torres 3, Alforque 2.
Quarter scores: 15-18, 29-40, 46-47, 65-55
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