By Jun Ray Navarres
Ateneo de Manila University finally broke into the win column after edging plucky Adamson University. 60-51, in UAAP Season 87’s first aerial clash, Saturday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles avoided a possible worst 0-4 start since Bo Perasol’s season 76 stint.
“We’re, obviously, very happy. The guys fought really hard. I said early on that we’re the team that’s gonna play in patches, which is typical of a young team,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
After a quick 17-6 first period, Ateneo built a 50-36 cushion going into the fourth quarter. Just when they thought that the win was already in the bag, Ced Manzano stepped up for the Soaring Falcons.
Led by the big man, AdU stooped for a 13-2 run to cut the lead down to three, 52-49 with 3:52 remaining. Eli Ramos and Manu Anabo also contributed big for the run of Adamson.
In response, Ateneo’s big man Kristian Porter managed to find some footing and scored crucial baskets for the Blue Eagles. He was also responsible for stopping Manzano’s hook shot which would have cut the lead down to one.
“Adamson did a really good job. Nash [Racela] is about as smart as they come, very experienced and he started switching with his big men and they were trusting Cedrick to play our guards one-on-one, and he did a great job,” Baldwin added.
Ian Espinosa and Shawn Tuano sealed the deal for Ateneo with six free throws.
Tuano scored the only double digit for Ateneo with 11 while Porter finished with eight alongside 10 rebounds.
Chris Koon dropped additional eight points after returning from an ankle injury during the first game against University of the Philippines last Sept 7.
On the other hand, Manzano finished with 14 points and hauled down seven rebounds. Ramos and Joshua Yerro added six points apiece while OJ Ojarikre grabbed 10 boards.
Images courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
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