By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) is back in the winning column, while Far Eastern University (FEU) clinched its first victory in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, October 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles staved off Adamson University (AdU), 76-55. With the win, they rose to 4-2 for solo third.
“I’m very happy that we’re back on the right side of the win column after the UP loss,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
Hungry to get back on track, Ateneo opened the third frame with 12 unanswered points to extend their nine-point lead at the half to 21, 53-32, 6:52 left. The Soaring Falcons failed to get back up, slumping to a 2-4 slate at sixth place.
Kai Ballungay led Ateneo with 21 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Dave Ildefonso chipped in 15 markers.
Jerom Lastimosa is Adamson’s lone double-digit scorer with 18 points.
In the last game of the day, FEU finally pulled off a breakthrough win against University of Santo Tomas (UST), 75-60.
The Tamaraws stretched their lead to 15 off a Bryan Sajonia triple, 63-48, 6:01 left in the game.
UST’s Migs Pangilinan and Jamba Garing answered with back-to-back bucket to inch within 10, but that proved to be the closest the Growling Tigers could get as FEU sailed to victory.
Ljay Gonzales led FEU with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Xyrus Torres chipped in another 17 markers.
UST’s Nic Cabanero had 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the loss.
FEU and UST are now tied with a 1-5 slate.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @meanxi
