IMPROVED BALL movement and superb all-around play from the Ateneo Blue Eagles played a crucial part in their 87-79 victory over their Katipunan-based rivals, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball tournament on Wednesday, September 12, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
UP relied heavily on Season 80 Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez de Liaño, who put up a career-high scoring output of 29 points. Bright Akhuetie added eight points, 11 rebounds, and a very impressive game-high of nine assists from the center position.
Despite these, the Fighting Maroons were simply unable to keep up with the Blue and White as Thirdy Ravena, Angelo Kouame, and Anton Asistio all put in remarkable performances with their time in action. Ravena found himself recording a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards, while Kouame came close to his own double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, team captain Anton Asistio put up an efficient scoring output with 16 points on 60% shooting from the field. The veteran off-guard also lit up the Fighting Maroons from downtown with four of his six field goals coming from beyond the arc, which earned him a well-deserved round of applause as he walked off the court late in the game.
[Fourth Quarter]
Thirdy spins and scores!
Ateneo 77 UP 70#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/Qwq8w9idto
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
Asistio, who recorded a plus-minus of 16, did his fair share of work on the defensive end with plays including a backcourt steal and finish on Diego Dario in the fourth quarter. The Blue Eagles’ improved ball movement was also on display in today’s match as they put up 16 team assists, doubling what they put up in their previous match-up against the Adamson Soaring Falcons. The Blue Eagles were also lethal from the charity stripe, as they hit a staggering 26 of their 31 attempts from the line compared to UP’s 4/7 free throw tally.
[Fourth Quarter]
Asistio steal and the finish! Ateneo lead is back to double digits!
Ateneo 83 UP 73#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/3e6Mahiirj
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
The Blue Eagles kicked off proceedings by deploying a 1-3-1 zone defense in the early stages of the first quarter. Initially, the zone defense caused UP problems as they failed to get good looks from the perimeter. However, the Fighting Maroons’ offense soon found its niche by getting good looks from a number of well-executed drive-and-kicks.
On the offensive end, ball movement saw a step in improvement compared to the Blue and White’s last game, as plays such as a Matt Nieto open-layup off a Raffy Verano backscreen five minutes into the game continually got good looks for the team. About seven minutes into the game, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin injected rookie SJ Belangel, who made an instant impact by grabbing a defensive rebound and finding a good look for an Adrian Wong triple in his first two possessions.
Entering the second quarter, the Blue Eagles knew they had to contain Juan Gomez de Liaño, who had already put up 12 on the scoreboard at the first quarter’s end. To begin the quarter, Ateneo deployed a 2-3 zone defense, with Jolo Mendoza and Matt Nieto up top. Akhuetie’s vision and ability to create chances for his teammates in the low post helped keep UP close with the Blue Eagles as he found open looks for teammates in the paint when caught between a double team. Eventually, an Asistio triple off a double flare screen helped send the Blue Eagles into halftime with a three-point advantage, 46-43.
Asistio began the third quarter the same way he ended with the second, gifting the Blue and White the first points of the half with a transition three on the break. Eventually, a Matt Nieto breakaway layup and a 7-0 scoring run on the part of Ateneo prompted UP head coach Bo Perasol to call a timeout. Despite this, Ateneo continued to barge on UP’s door as Kouame showcased his versatility on offense by taking Akhuetie off the dribble for a lay-up in the fifth minute of the quarter. On the defensive end, Ateneo’s damage control on Juan Gomez de Liaño seemingly worked as the UP swingman was held to just two points in the quarter.
[Third Quarter]
Kouame block! Asistio three!
Ateneo 49 UP 43#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/tISLnHOX6X
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
[Third Quarter]
Kouame powers his way to the basket!
Ateneo 58 UP 49#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/DkxwRpURHm
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
Following a monstrous slam from Kouame in the fourth and final quarter, tempers flared when UP head coach Bo Perasol stormed onto the court to protest a no-foul call on an Akhuetie dunk attempt. He was consequently sent off the court with UP trailing by 11 points, 73-62, with seven minutes left on the clock.
Juan Gomez de Liaño once again caused the Blue Eagles problems as his triple sparked an 8-2 UP scoring run, prompting Coach Tab to to call a timeout with five and a half minutes left on the clock. Exiting the timeout, the UP guard was in inspired form as he continuously put up points on the board, tallying an impressive 11 points in the quarter. Gomez de Liaño’s efforts, however, would prove to be futile as the Fighting Maroons would go on to lose the game at 87-79.
After the game, Baldwin spoke about the importance of playing to the team’s strengths despite the pressure, saying, “We have to learn to stick to who we are [despite] the pressure. That’s the challenge for this team—to turn our practice effort into game performance. Everytime we go out, we have to answer that question.”
Now standing with a win-loss record of 1-1, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will be looking to further improve that standing in their match against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws on Saturday, 2PM, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao City
QUARTER SCORES:
Ateneo-UP: 25-24, 46-43, 67-58, 87-79
BOX SCORE:
Ateneo (87): Ravena – 17, Asistio – 16, Kouame – 14, Ma. Nieto – 12, Mi. Nieto – 7, Wong – 5, Go – 5, Mendoza – 5, Verano – 4, Black – 2
UP (79): Ju. Gomez de Liaño – 29, Desiderio – 15, Manzo – 9, Akhuetie – 8, Ja. Gomez de Liaño – 5, Murrell – 4, Dario – 3, Gozum – 2, Prado – 2, Vito – 2
