THE ATENEO Blue Eagles’ offense was in top form as they routed the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 97-73, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball tournament on Saturday, October 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ateneo won for the eleventh straight time, boosting their record to a perfect 11-0 and guaranteeing them of at least a twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors suffered their second loss in a row and fell to 3-9, dimming their chances to take a Final Four berth.
Ateneo scored their 97 points on an astounding 53.52% from the field, and also dished out 26 assists, which were all season-highs. They had four players in double figures, led by Thirdy Ravena who dropped 17 points along with eight boards and four assists. Jolo Mendoza shot a perfect four of four from the field and finished with 13 markers. Ateneo’s pair of power forwards Raffy Verano and Vince Tolentino each added 12 points, while swingman Anton Asistio dropped in nine points and handed out six dimes.
UE was led by rookie Mark Maloles, who finished with a career-best 20 points. Point forward Mark Olayon chipped in 15 markers, along with four boards and five assists. However, the UAAP’s second leading scorer Alvin Pasaol was limited to a season-low eight points on just two of eleven from the field.
The Blue Eagles began the match with a balanced scoring effort, as each of the five starters contributed to the team’s first 12 points. Maloles’ seven points in the opening period, however, helped keep UE in the game. A Lucas Cullar jumper with a hand on his face cut the Red Warriors’ deficit to three (21-18) by the first quarter buzzer.
Ateneo continued to build their lead in the ensuing period. Mendoza drained back-to-back jumpers midway through the quarter that gave his team an eight-point advantage (30-22). The Blue Eagles then went on an 11-2 run highlighted by Ravena and Asistio threes, extending their cushion to 16 (45-29).
Tolentino waxed hot for Ateneo in the second half. The team captain contributed to 10 of the Blue Eagles’ first 11 points, scoring seven and assisting three, to begin the third. The Ateneo lead extended to 20 (64-44) after a Gian Mamuyac steal and make from deep midway through the period. Mendoza closed the period with his second three to maintain the sizeable lead (71-52).
Ateneo opened the fourth with a 14-3 run, highlighted by Mendoza’s third triple, that ballooned their lead to 30-points. Both squads traded baskets to end the match, as the Blue Eagles held on for the win.
After the game, Head Coach Tab Baldwin mentioned that the team looks at their season at a per game basis. “I don’t care if we are one game away from the sweep or 500 games away from the sweep,” he explained. “The only game that matters is UST, and before that the only thing that matters is practice on Monday.”
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will continue their quest for the top seed and a possible undefeated record when they face the winless University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Saturday, November 4, 2:00 PM at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UE: 21-18, 48-35, 71-52, 97-73
Box Scores:
Ateneo (97): Ravena – 17, Mendoza – 13, Tolentino – 12, Verano – 12, Asistio – 9, Porter – 9, Mike Nieto – 7, Ikeb h – 7, Mamuyac – 3, Matt Nieto – 2, Go – 2, Black – 2, Andrade – 2
UE (73): Maloles – 20, Olayon – 15, Pasaol – 8, Bartolome – 7, Varilla – 5, Cullar – 5, Derige – 4, Acuño – 4, Manalang – 3, Conner – 2
