THE ATENEO Blue Eagles cruised past the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons with a 76-55 bounce-back win earlier this afternoon at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
Today’s convincing victory puts Ateneo at 4-2 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Basketball standings—good for third place in a tournament that has thoroughly tested the Blue and White.
Ateneo’s frontcourt weapons, Kai Ballungay and Dave Ildefonso, led the way for the Blue Eagles with double-figure scoring outputs of 21 points and 15 points, respectively.
The first quarter saw Adamson taking an early lead at 7-2, but two triples from Ballungay kept Ateneo afloat. The Filipino-American rookie finished the quarter with eight points, allowing Ateneo to end the quarter up by six points, 22-16.
[First Quarter]
— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Ballungay goes back to back from rainbow country as he forces Adamson to call for time.
Ateneo 13 AdU 9#UAAPBasketball
The start of the second quarter was highlighted by Ateneo’s defensive effort, as they held Adamson to six points in the first six minutes, 33-22. Ateneo managed to extend their lead by as much as 11, but Falcons’ Jerom Lastimosa resuscitated the Adamson offense to cut the lead down to a single digit, 41-32.
[Second Quarter]
— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Coach Tab calls for time to draw out one final play before the half. The ball finds its way to Ildefonso as he hits the three to end the half!
Ateneo 41 AdU 32#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/GAtdjPHNC4
In typical Ateneo fashion, the Blue Eagles came out of the dugout with a vengeance, entering the third frame with a 12-0 run. A barrage of triples from Ballungay and Ildefonso, combined with the team’s stifling defense, kept the Soaring Falcons at bay, ending the quarter with Ateneo leading at 61-47.
[Third Quarter]
— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Ildefonso starts to sizzle as he hits another triple for another strong start to the frame for the Blue Eagles
Ateneo 49 AdU 32#UAAPBasketball
The fourth quarter featured an even more impressive defense from Ateneo as they fielded both Geo Chiu and Ange Kouame at the same time. The frontcourt duo suffocated the paint for Adamson, holding them to only eight points in the quarter to secure the victory, 76-55.
[Fourth Quarter]
— Anton Mercado (@Anton_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Padrigao with the oop to Chiu. On the next offensive possession, Garcia knocks down the trey.
Ateneo 68 AdU 47#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/f7BIv16Tgo
The Blue Eagles (4-2) look to improve their standing in the first round of eliminations as they take on the Final Four-contending University of the East Red Warriors (3-3) on Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 PM in the Ynares Sports Arena in Antipolo City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (76): Ballungay – 21, Ildefonso – 15, Gomez – 8, Chiu – 7, Padrigao – 5, Lazaro – 5, Kouame – 4, Andrade – 4, Garcia – 3, Koon – 2, Ong – 2
Adamson (55): Lastimosa – 18, Douanga – 8, Torres – 6, Manzano – 5, Flowers – 4, Jaymalin – 3, Fuentebella – 3, Yerro – 2, Barcelona – 2, Barasi Jr. – 2, Magbuhos – 2
Quarter Score: Ateneo-AdU: 22-16, 41-32, 61-46, 76-55
