By Kristel Satumbaga
Games on Nov. 6
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – FEU vs UST
Ateneo’s Ange Kouame, right, celebrates after scoring during a UAAP Season 82 Round 2 match against UP at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Wednesday(MB Photo/Rio Deluvio)
Ateneo continued its dominance in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball Wednesday, crushing University of the Philippines 86-64 for an elimination round sweep and an outright finals berth at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The two-time defending champion Eagles rose from a 21-20 first quarter deficit with a 23-6 run to open a 43-27 lead en route to their 14th straight victory.
They led by as many as 24 points early in the fourth period on a Matt Nieto triple 73-49.
Ateneo became the second team to sweep the elims after University of the East in 2007, propelling them straight to the best-of-three finals.
They await the winner of the stepladder semis pitting UP, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.
UP, which finished the elims at No. 2 with a 9-5 record, enjoys a twice-to-beat semis incentive as it prepares to face the winner between FEU and UST in the first round of the stepladder phase.
Ange Kouame paced with 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, SJ Belangel and Will Navarro chipped in 13 and 11 points, and Thirdy Ravena added 11 points, four boards and five assists for the Eagles, who reaffirmed their mastery over the Maroons after an 89-63 victory in the first round.
“This is the team that has tremendous amount of hearts. It is driven with determination, passion belief in one another and I think that equates a heart,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
“But our job is far from done.”
So efficient were the Eagles that they shot 34-of-64 for 53 percent from the field and outmuscled the Maroons, 46-38 on rebounds. Ateneo also distributed the ball well with 22 assists and converted 24 points off UP’s 21 turnovers.
Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, right, and UP’s Bright Akhuetie battle for the rebound (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
Scores:
ATENEO 86 — Kouame 20, Belangel 14, Navarro 13, Ravena 11, Go 7, Ma. Nieto 7, Mamuyac 5, Tio 4, Maagdenberg 3, Mi. Nieto 2, Andrade 0, Chiu 0, Daves 0, Mallillin 0, Wong 0.
UP 64 — Paras 13, Akhuetie 11, Ja. Gomez de Liano 11, Ju. Gomez de Liano 9, Tungcab 5, Jaboneta 4, Rivero 4, Manzo 2, Murrell 2, Webb 2, Mantilla 1, Prado 0, Spencer 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 45-32, 65-44, 86-44.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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