TEAM GLORY Be of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team scored a huge victory and kept its semi-final aspirations alive as it defeated Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) in a thrilling 79-76 win last Monday, May 4 inside the Arellano University campus.

Anton Asistio led three players in double figures with 22 points, highlighted by four triples. Both Gian Go and Kemark Cariño finished with 13 points apiece.

Despite the much improved offensive execution, the team still struggled to knock down shots—only making 27 out of their 67 field goal attempts. However, the different defensive schemes implemented by Head Coach Yuri Escueta helped neutralize MLQU’s scoring opportunities and kept the team in the game. After being down by four at halftime, 29-33, the team tightened their defense—forcing their opponents to 22 turnovers which ignited the team’s running attack.

Ateneo was up by as much as 10, but its lead slowly dwindled down the stretch after several bad shots and misses from the charity stripe.

The team improved its record to 2-2 (win-loss) in the yearly summer tournament which features teams from both the UAAP and the NCAA.

Box Score:

ADMU 79 – Asistio 22, Cariño 13, Go 13, Javelosa 9, Cu 8, T. Ramos 5, Armenion 4, Salandanan 3, Gamboa 2, B. Ramos 0

Editor’s Note: Gian Y. Go is a member of The GUIDON’s Sports Staff.