Defending champion Ateneo hardly broke out a sweat in disposing of National University Saturday 88-51 as the Blue Eagles moved a win from sweeping the elimination round in the UAAP season 82 men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Ateneo’s Ange Kouame jams the ball to the basket during UAAP Season 82 Round 2 match against the National University Bulldogs (UAAP Images)
The win raised Ateneo’s record to 13-0 as it put the Eagles on the brink of earning an outright finals berth. A victory over University of the Philippines this Wednesday will give Ateneo that coveted slot and force a stepladder playoffs among the other squads.
Ange Kouama led the way with 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks as the Eagles raced to a 44-27 lead after the first half of play.
“It’s satisfying. Two weeks in a row, two games in a row, we’ve come out with a great attitude,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said.
The lead for the Blue Eagles just continued to balloon as everyone Tab Baldwin inserted to the floor contributed – and it resulted in the biggest winning margin of the season for Ateneo.
“Sure we put points on the board, made some shots, but I think what we really focused on was our defense and rebounding,” Baldwin continued.
“We’ve seen our team, really, transfer the work ethic from practice to the court, into the game and that’s gratifying as a coach.”
Thirdy Ravena added 15 points, four rebounds and three assists as everyone with the exception of starting guard Matt Nieto got into the scoreboard.
Shaun Ildefonso paced the Bulldogs with 21 points but that went for naught as they dropped their fourth straight match to fall to 2-11.
NU’s leading scorer Dave Ildefonso was limited to a career-low two points on 1-of-5 shooting by the unforgiving Ateneo defense after averaging 16 points for the season.
Scores:
ADMU 88 – Kouame 17, Ravena 15, Tio 9, Wong 8, Belangel 7, Mamuyac 5, Mi. Nieto 5, Andrade 4, Daves 4, Go 4, Malilin 4, Chiu 3, Maagdemberg 3, Ma. Nieto 0
NU 51 – S. Ildefonso 21, Gallego 9, Tibayan 8, Minerva 4, Clemente 3, Gaye 2, D. Ildefonso 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mangayao 0, Mosqueda 0, Oczon 0, Yu 0
Quarterscores: 22-12, 44-27, 65-36, 88-51
Source: Manila Bulletin
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