THE RIVALRY between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers was in full effect for today’s game with a very competitive first half before the Blue Eagles pulled away to secure the victory, 74-57.
With the win, Ateneo improved to a 4-0 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
It was a physical start for both the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers, with both teams struggling to generate points. Eventually, the Blue and White found their footing, going on a 13-2 run midway through the first quarter. The Taft-based university quickly recovered, cutting the deficit to just five points at the end of the first quarter, Ateneo leading 16-11.
Ange Kouame proved to be too much early in the second quarter, keeping the Blue Eagles firmly in the driver’s seat via a couple of easy layups inside. Head Coach Tab Baldwin’s squad weathered a storm brought about by the Green Archers’ Mike Phillips, with plenty of help from a three-point barrage courtesy of Christopher Koon and Dave Ildefonso to go along with some fastbreak opportunities.
Mark Nonoy led the comeback charge for DLSU late in the third quarter, keeping the defending champions on their tiptoes defensively with his speed and shooting. The Blue Eagles held on to a slim three point lead heading into halftime, 35-32.
The rivals went back and forth after the break, with counters on baskets to keep the game close. The Green Archers were able to cut down the lead to a single point before a Joshua Lazaro layup, back-to-back Tyler Tio threes, and Gian Mamuyac free throws that put some momentum back Ateneo’s way–restoring their double digit lead. A 15-3 extended run by Ateneo thanks to their stifling press kept La Salle at bay.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Green Archers were down by 13. Sloppy play and failure to make consecutive buckets proved costly for La Salle as Ateneo’s lead continued to balloon throughout the final period. The double-digit lead never disappeared and the game was decided 74-57, in favor of the Blue Eagles.
Kouame showed his might in this game, leading the team in scoring with 16 markers and 19 rebounds, followed by Ildefonso with 12 points of his own. But the biggest takeaway from the matchup was from the defense of Team Captain Mamuyac, who recorded six steals—matching the Green Archers’ total.
One of the bright spots for the Green Archers was Phillips, who put up tremendous effort on the boards while scoring 13 points to lead DLSU.
The Blue Eagles stayed composed despite the pressure of attaining a 30-game win streak in the UAAP, coupled by the atmosphere of the rivalry and the patented Pumaren Pressure defense. Ateneo will face the National University Bulldogs in their fifth game of the season on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00 PM at the MOA Arena–their first game back in front of an audience since 2019.
Photo courtesy of the UAAP Season 84 Media Team.
Box Score:
ADMU (74): Kouame – 16, Ildefonso – 12, Mamuyac – 11, Belangel – 8, Tio – 6, Koon – 6, Chiu – 6, Andrade – 3, Lazaro – 2, Padrigao – 2, Verano – 2
DLSU (57): M. Phillips – 13, Nonoy – 12, Nelle – 10, Lojera – 9, Winston – 6, Baltazar – 5, Nwankwo – 2, Manuel – 0, Austria – 0, B. Phillips – 0
