ATENEO Rookie Raffy Verano stunned the crowd with his best game in the UAAP season of 8-of-13 shooting and scored 20 points that boosted the Blue Eagles to win against the National University on Sunday, 65-50 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A product of San Gabriel California, the rookie made an impressive improvement as he adjusted well to the Philippine-type of basketball.
Blue Eagles Assistant Coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that Verano has been proven to be an integral player in the defensive end and that the team was very happy that Verano was able to put more points in the basket, showing off that he too is a key player in the offense.
Verano made a huge impact starting the second period of the game, making 11 of his 20 points. Ateneo also strengthened their defense to grab hold of a huge lead at the half, 34-16.
“We knew that we are up against the NU team and that they might be (playing) a little more desperate. We know that NU’s defense is very tough,” said Arespacochaga.
NU committed about 25 turnovers which led to Ateneo’s 21 points. The Blue Eagles also limited the Bulldogs to a 31% shooting from the field.
The Bulldogs tried to overcome the Blue Eagles, but fell short until the end of the game as Ateneo stayed on full control of the final two quarter to seal their second straight victory.
ADMU improved to a 6-4 slate in the UAAP league standings and solidified their hold to the third place behind Far Eastern University (8-2) and De La Salle University (11-0).
NU continued to bleed with their fifth consecutive defeat and fell deeper in the fifth spot behind the Adamson University, 4-7 record in the league standings.
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