THE ATENEO Blue Eagles imposed their will on the National University (NU) Bulldogs, claiming a 71-50 victory in their fifth contest of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, on Sunday, September 22, at the Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City.
The Blue Eagles’ win raises them to a 5-0 record in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, while NU remains winless at 0-5.
Once again, it was Ange Kouame who set the tone for the Eagles, leading the balanced effort with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and an otherworldly seven blocks. Gian Mamuyac shot an efficient 4/6 from the field on his way to 13 points for the Blue Eagles. Rookies Jason Credo and Geo Chiu also had their UAAP Seniors bucket baptisms, nabbing their first pair of baskets for Ateneo.
The Bulldogs were led by Dave and Shaun Ildefonso’s 19 combined points. Import Issa Gaye also chipped in a respectable eight points and six boards in the losing effort. Marksman John Lloyd Clemente and veteran Enzo Joson disappointed as they combined for an underwhelming 2/14 shooting from the field.
Ateneo dominated NU in the first half with masterful ball movement and their patented defensive pedigree en route to a 41-24 advantage going into the break. A pair of Mamuyac buckets with 5:31 left in the game sparked a 9-0 run that saw Ateneo’s biggest lead at 65-40. The Blue Eagles never looked back as they stayed firmly in control for the rest of the contest.
Foul trouble and cold shooting from NU’s main man Dave Ildefonso did not help the Bulldogs’ cause, as the ex-Blue Eaglet shot a pedestrian 22% on field goals (FG), turned the ball over seven times, and was plagued with four fouls.
The Blue Eagles’ chokehold on defense limited NU to just 29% FG shooting. Ateneo also forced NU to cough the ball up 20 times, with the Blue Eagles converting the turnovers into 24 points. Moreover, the Blue Eagles went to work on the offensive glass, outscoring NU, 21-4, in second-chance points.
After the match, Head Coach Tab Baldwin highlighted the importance of their defense. “Our field goal percentage doesn’t flatter our play at 40%, it’s something we need to continue to work on, but also on the other end of the floor, [we’re] doing a good job generating turnovers and turning those into easy points on the fastbreak. Generally, that’s a good thing for our offense,” Baldwin said.
Ateneo will face Rey Suerte and the dangerous University of the East (UE) Red Warriors next on Wednesday, September 25, 12:30 PM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-NU: 20-11, 41-24, 50-37, 71-50
Box Scores:
Ateneo (81): Kouame – 15, Mamuyac – 13, Ravena – 8, Wong – 6, Belangel – 5, Ma. Nieto – 5, Mi. Nieto – 5, Andrade – 3, Tio – 3, Chiu – 2, Credo – 2, Daves – 2, Maagdenberg – 2
NU (69): D. Ildefonso – 10, S. Ildefonso – 9, Gaye – 8, Clemente – 5, Galinato – 5, Yu – 4, Minerva – 3, Joson – 2, Mangayao – 2, Mosqueda – 2
