THE ATENEO Blue Eagles pulled away from the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the fourth quarter, limiting them to just seven points as they pushed their undefeated start in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball tournament to nine games.
With the win, the Blue Eagles move to 9-0, a full two games over second place De La Salle University (DLSU). A win against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, or a loss by the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on Saturday, October 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will clinch a Final Four slot for Ateneo. On the other hand, NU stays at sixth place with a 3-6 record.
Thirdy Ravena led Ateneo with a full statline of 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Point guards Matt Nieto and Jolo Mendoza each dropped 10 markers on a combined five three-pointers. Chibueze Ikeh, Anton Asistio, and Gian Mamuyac each chipped in with eight points.
JJay Alejandro also filled up the stat sheet as he led NU with 22 points, seven boards, five dimes, and three steals. However, Alejandro was held to just 2 of 9 shooting in the second half due to stifling defense from both Ravena and Mamuyac. Former Ateneo Blue Eaglet Enzo Joson was in double figures with 11 markers, while NU’s import Issa Gaye had eight points and 14 rebounds.
The Blue Eagles scored eight straight to begin the match, with the bulk of it coming from triples by the backcourt duo of Matt Nieto and Asistio. The Bulldogs responded with a 6-2 run capped by a Matt Salem triple, but Matt Nieto immediately responded with a three of his own. Mendoza hit back-to-back triples late in the period to give Ateneo a ten point cushion (26-16) late in the first. Despite NU coming up with a 6-2 run, the Blue Eagles remained in the lead at the end of the opening salvo (28-22).
Jordan Bartlett’s inside basket cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to four (28-24) at the start of the second period. Ateneo had trouble finding the bottom of the net; their cold shooting limited them to just 17 points in the quarter. A corner jumper from JP Caulian gave NU a three-point advantage (48-45) heading into the break. This was the first time the Blue Eagles trailed at the half this season.
Mamuyac had his fingerprints all over the third quarter. His introduction midway through the period sparked life into the Blue Eagles’ listless attack. Mamuyac’s free throws handed Ateneo the lead midway through the third (58-57), and continued to lock down Alejandro at the other end. Ateneo ended the quarter clinging to a two-point lead (67-65).
The rookie wing’s play propelled an offensive surge by the Blue Eagles, which continued at the fourth. The Blue and White opened the final period with a 17-5 run, highlighted by triples from Raffy Verano, Tyler Tio, and Matt Nieto (84-72). In the closing minutes, Ateneo completely shut down NU’s fast-paced attack, allowing the Bulldogs only two points in the final four minutes.
“At halftime, Coach Tab [Baldwin] emphasized our defense. We were even outrebounded [in the first half]. We came out and played better defense in the second half, and it’s a good thing we outrebounded them at the end of the game,” Assistant Coach Sandy Arespacochaga said of his team’s performance.
Quarter Scores
(Ateneo-NU): 28-22, 45-48, 67-65, 85-72
Box Score
Ateneo (85): Ravena – 15, Mendoza – 10, Ma. Nieto – 10, Asistio – 8, Ikeh – 8, Mamuyac – 8, Go – 5, Mi. Nieto – 5, Tio – 5, Verano – 4, Tolentino – 3, Black – 3
NU (72): Alejandro – 22, Joson – 11, Gaye – 8, Salem – 7, Mosqueda – 5, Bartlett – 4, Rangel – 4, Morido – 4, Yu – 3, Diputado – 2, Cauilan – 2
