26 POINTS spelled the difference in today’s match between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the National University (NU) Bulldogs, as the Blue and White garnered their second win to move to a 2-1 win-loss standing in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Blue Eagles’ stingy and resilient effort on the defensive end saw the team hold the Bulldogs to season lows in points scored, three point field goals made, field goal percentage, and assists.  The Bulldogs also struggled mightily from beyond the arc as they found themselves finishing with a 6% shooting clip, converting just one of their 16 attempts from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, the Blue Eagles were much more efficient in their scoring from all over the court. The team put up an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 47.22%, dwarfing NU’s 28.46%. The Blue Eagles also played their slowest game in terms of pace at 74.46 and took good care of the ball as they only gave up 13 turnovers–the team’s lowest so far this season.  

Thirdy Ravena was the lone double-digit scorer for the Blue and White with an output of 13 points on 50% shooting from the field. Mike Nieto meanwhile, crashed the boards well as he put up nine rebounds to accompany a seven point output. Both BJ Andrade and rookie Matthew Daves made their season debuts in the game, contributing two and three points, respectively, in about three minutes of action each. Gian Mamuyac also returned to action for the Blue and White for the first time this season by putting up two assists and a plus-minus of 15.

Quality defensive possessions from both sides told the story of the early stages of the first quarter, as no points were put up on the scoreboard in the first two minutes. However, a Raffy Verano pull-up jumper from the left elbow would eventually gift the Blue and White with the first points of the game. Eventually, an Anton Asistio corner triple about four minutes and thirty seconds into the game would find itself breaking the Blue and White’s offensive woes as the team slowly started to find its rhythm.

In the eighth minute of the quarter, Ateneo was able to force a shot-clock violation to keep NU at bay, as the Bulldogs were held to a single digit scoring output by the end of the quarter, 11-9.

The Blue Eagles then began the second quarter with a hot hand from downtown, as the team’s first three field goals of the quarter sprouted from triples by Mike Nieto, Adrian Wong, and Isaac Go. The Blue Eagles also continued their strong defensive effort as they once again held the Bulldogs to just nine points in the quarter. The Blue Eagles meanwhile, found themselves entering halftime with a 15-point advantage over the Bulldogs, 33-18.

When play resumed, the Bulldogs looked eager to break their slump, forcing two consecutive 24-second shot clock violations. However, the Blue and White’s offensive machine would soon get going as a Verano jumper five minutes into the quarter would soon prompt NU head coach Jamike Jarin to call a timeout with his team now trailing by 20 points, 42-22. By the quarter’s end, the Katipunan-based side boasted a 19-point advantage, 49-30.

In the fourth and final quarter, Aaron Black came to life as he scored on numerous attacks to the basket and even got himself an assist off a triple from Go. In the period, the Blue Eagles further stretched their lead as they put up 23 points on the board to eventually close out the game in their favour, 72-46.

After the game, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin emphasized the team’s excellent defensive performance. “I thought our defense was the way we wanted it to play. There’s never an excuse not to play it that way,” he said. “I like it that we set a standard, and now we have something to live up to.”

Additionally, Baldwin did not hesitate to make his thoughts on the game’s officiating known. “It annoys me when referees referee for the score. It’s inappropriate, and it’s not good for the game,” he said. “It’s not in the spirit of the game, [and] I’d sure like to know why they do that.”

The Blue Eagles will be looking to further improve on their 2-1 win-loss record against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, at 1PM, Wednesday, September 26 at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

QUARTER SCORES:

Ateneo-NU: 11-9, 33-18, 49-30, 72-46

BOX SCORE

Ateneo (72): Ravena – 13, Asistio – 9, Wong – 7, Mi. Nieto. – 7, Go – 6, Verano – 6, Black – 6, Kouame – 5, Belangel – 5, Andrade – 3, Ma. Nieto – 2, Daves – 2, Mamuyac – 1

NU (46): Joson – 11, Tibayan – 8, Clemente – 7, Gallego – 6, D. Ildefonso – 4, S. Ildefonso – 4, Rike – 2, Gallinato – 2, Malondo 2