22 September 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
ANTIPOLO – Ateneo De Manila University continues its strong will in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament to keep a perfect slate after giving National University another heartbreaking loss, 71-50, on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Blue Eagles were off to a strong start, dominating early with a nine-point lead, 20-11 and eventually stretched it even further to a comfortable 17-point advantage at the half, 41-24.
National U failed to come close as the defending champions kept its cushion, which blew up by as much as 25, 65-40, in the last four minutes of the game after Blue Eagles Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Wong and SJ Belangel combined for a 9-0 run.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year, Ange Kouame, paced Ateneo with a double-double record of 15 points and 13 rebounds to go along with seven blocks, three assists, and two steals, while Mamuyac chipped in 13 markers and three boards.
Thirdy Ravena added eight points and seven rebounds in their fifth straight win, as they remain spotless in the tournament.
Despite the big victory, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin gave emphasis on the areas they still had to work on to improve in their next games.
“Our field goal percentage doesn’t flatter our play really at 40 percent. It’s something we need to continue to work on,” he said. “Our defense is doing a good job. It’s generating and converting those into easy points on the fastbreak.”
For the Bulldogs, Dave Ildefonso still topped the team with 10 points on a 2-of-9 shooting from the field as they dropped to their five-game losing skid and remained at the bottom of the team standings.
The Scores:
ATENEO 71 – Kouame 15, Mamuyac 13, Ravena 8, Wong 6, Belangel 5, Nieto Ma 5, Nieto Mi 5, Andrade 3, Tio 3, Chiu 2, Credo 2, Daves 2, Maagdenberg 2, Go 0, Mallillin 0, Navarro 0
NU 50 – Ildefonso D 10, Ildefonso S 9, Gaye 8, Clemente 5, Galinato 5, Yu 4, Minerva 3, Joson 2, Mangayao 2, Mosqueda 2, Diputado 0, Gallego 0, Malonzo 0, Oczon 0, Rangel 0, Tibayan 0
QUARTER SCORES: 20-11, 41-24, 50-37, 71-50
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