CONTINUING TO assert their superiority, the Ateneo Blue Eagles improved to a spotless 12-0 slate and put the Adamson University Soaring Falcons’ four-game win streak to a stop after a 91-57 triumph in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena earlier today.

The Blue Eagles’ defensive prowess proved to be the difference in the matchup as they recorded 15 steals, leading to 28 of their points coming off turnovers. Ateneo’s smothering defense forced the Falcons to commit 24 turnovers.

Ateneo shrugged off a slow start in the opening period after Team Captain Gian Mamuyac provided a spark on the defensive end coupled with a three to cap an 8-2 run and end the quarter 20-17 for the Blue Eagles.

The Katipunan-based squad then put on a defensive masterclass in the second, forcing an error-plagued outing from the Soaring Falcons who committed seven straight turnovers in the quarter. The Blue and White’s suffocating defense led Adamson to tally more turnovers—eight—than points in the period. Gilas naturalized player Ange Kouame’s active rebounding and back-to-back putback baskets ballooned Ateneo’s lead to 40-24 heading into the second half.

Ateneo went into the third canto guns blazing, as SJ Belangel hit another patented one-legged three while Kouame feasted with easy baskets down low. Ateneo guards Tyler Tio and Chris Koon then carried Ateneo’s offensive load with their own jumpers and markers inside, extending the Blue Eagles’ lead t0 24 with the score at 65-41.

Ateneo’s second unit took care of business in the final salvo spearheaded by a breakout game from 6’5” forward Matthew Daves, who dominated with 12 of his 18 points in the quarter, leading Ateneo to a trouncing 91-57 victory.

Daves and Kouame led Ateneo with 18 points each. Daves collected two rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while it was another big game for Kouame, with nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals to go with his 18 markers. Jerom Lastimosa was the lone bright spot for the Soaring Falcons with 16 markers.

With the victory, the Blue Eagles are now two wins away from sweeping the elimination round for the second straight time. A 14-0 record sets up a stepladder playoff and secures Ateneo an outright finals berth. Hoping to extend their winning run, the Blue Eagles play against the gritty Far Eastern University Tamaraws this Thursday, April 28, 4:30 PM at the MOA Arena.

Quarter Scores:

Ateneo-AdU: 20-17, 40-24, 65-41, 91-57

Box Score: 

Ateneo (91): Kouame – 18, Daves – 18, Koon – 8, Ildefonso – 7, Belangel – 7, Padrigao – 6, Tio – 6, Verano – 6, Mamuyac – 6, Mendoza – 4, Andrade – 3, Lazaro – 2

AdU (57): Lastimosa – 16, Manzano – 8, Yerro – 8, Douanga – 6, Barasi – 5, Hanapi – 4, Sabandal – 3, Peromingan – 3, Colonia – 2, Magbuhos – 2