STAYING TRUE to their winning ways, the Ateneo Blue Eagles opened their four-peat bid in the win column as they eked-out a 90-81 victory against Katipunan rival University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in their debut game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
Ateneo started the game dominantly with their trademark full-court press defense, eventually taking an early 20-5 lead in the opening quarter off-balanced scoring from the Blue Eagles. Former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger CJ Cansino then tallied consecutive baskets to bring UP within single digits, 26-18, as the first quarter ended.
Keeping their composure, the Blue Eagles had an answer for every burst of UP momentum in the second quarter as both Raffy Verano and former National University Bulldog Dave Ildefonso drained back-to-back baskets of their own, giving the Blue Eagles a nine-point lead after the first half, 46-35.
The Fighting Maroons were able to rally and cut the deficit down to five in the second half after two straight baskets from Cansino, sparking an Ateneo counter. The Pangasinan-native Ildefonso once again stopped the bleeding for Ateneo after an and-one drive and a stepback jumper. Verano and domineering bigman Ange Kouame also paved the way for Ateneo’s surge as they combined for 10 points in the third quarter. Team Captain Gian Mamuyac then capped the Blue Eagles’ commanding third quarter with a spot-up three and free-throw that handed Ateneo a 71-54 lead heading into the final salvo.
A three from Cansino and two charities from Zave Lucero cut down the lead to seven for UP with more than two minutes remaining in the game. However, it proved to be the Fighting Maroons’ last hurrah as veteran guard SJ Belangel sunk in a dagger three followed by a high-arching floater to give Ateneo the 90-81 triumph.
The Blue Eagles mainly benefited from all-around contributions within the team as 11 out of 14 players in Coach Tab Baldwin’s rotation tallied at least two points. Ildefonso led Ateneo with 19 points and six rebounds, while Verano had 18 points on an efficient 8/10 shooting from the field joined by five rebounds and two steals. Kouame pitched in with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Cansino led all scorers with 21 points, while Malick Diouf and Tamayo had 15 and 13 points respectively for the Fighting Maroons.
With their win, the Ateneo Blue Eagles now have a 1-0 slate in the tourney. The win also extends the Blue Eagles’ win streak to 27, dating back to UAAP Season 81. Ateneo will face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws next Tuesday, 1:00 PM at the MOA Arena.
Photo courtesy of the UAAP.
Box Score:
Ateneo (90): Ildefonso – 19, Verano – 18, Kouame – 11, Belangel – 10, Mamuyac – 9, Mendoza – 6, Tio – 5, Chiu – 4, Daves – 4, Koon – 2, Lazaro – 2, Andrade – 0 , Gomez – 0, Mallillin – 0
UP (81): Cansino – 21, Diouf – 15, Tamayo – 13, Rivero – 11, Fortea – 5, Spencer – 4, Cagulangan – 4, Lucero – 2, Catapusan – 2, Abadiano – 2, Webb – 2, Alarcon – 0
