THE ATENEO Blue Eagles devastated the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 100-72, in the 2018 FilOil Flying V Premier Cup. The match was played in the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan on Sunday, April 29, 2018.
This was Ateneo’s third straight win to remain perfect with a 3-0 record in the tournament.
Anton Asistio top-scored for Ateneo with 14 points off 80% shooting beyond the arc. Raffy Verano followed with 11 points from 60% shooting from the field and ⅚ at the line. A notable performance also came of rookie Pat Maagdenberg who finished with nine points, making all three of his attempts.
UP’s Bright Akhuetie scored a game-high 20 points as well as nabbing six rebounds. Paul Desiderio also reined in 14 points and three rebounds.
Asistio contributed eight markers in the opening quarter on a 3/3 shooting clip. His efforts were bolstered by inside attacks from Ravena and Verano, who each converted in the paint. Troy Mallillin shot a difficult hook as well as found Go under the basket for short stab to end the quarter, 15-11.
The second quarter saw balanced scoring from the Blue Eagles starting with an Adrian Wong three from the top of the arc. Wong and Thirdy Ravena then peppered in more points while Gian Mamuyac beat the shot clock with a three to put Ateneo up 29-19.
[Second Quarter]
Gian Mamuyac beats the buzzer from the top of the arc!
Ateneo 29 UP 19#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/sH2oujAahL
— Tonichi Regalado (@CHI_TheGUIDON) April 29, 2018
UP rallied back with a bank shot from Paul Desiderio tying the game at 36. However, the momentum shifted back in Ateneo’s favor as Jolo Mendoza scored a buzzer-beating three to end the quarter at 44-38.
[Second Quarter]
Jolo Mendoza beats the clock with a three from deep ending the quarter!
Ateneo 44 UP 38#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/kaVBesTGFK
— Tonichi Regalado (@CHI_TheGUIDON) April 29, 2018
Ateneo remained aggressive in the third with a pull-up jumper from Mendoza beginning the quarter. Matt Nieto was then able to register five quick points in a sequence that saw him make three shots from the line coupled with a relentless attack on the basket going against aggressive defense from a frustrated Akhuetie (55-44). SJ Belangel also showed some promising footwork on his shot to put Ateneo on a 6-3 run. The quarter ended with Go scoring on the fastbreak play with a.dish from Jawuan White (69-58).
[Third Quarter]
A steal from Go sparks a 1-2 punch from him and Jawuan White to end the third!
Ateneo 69 UP 58#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/67Wbu3MKF4
— Tonichi Regalado (@CHI_TheGUIDON) April 29, 2018
Maagdenberg and Wong revved up the engine for Ateneo to start of the fourth, combining for seven points in the first two minutes. The Blue Eagles showed no mercy as they kept piling on buckets with Asistio, Maagdenberg, and Tyler Tio each making a triple. Ateneo outscored UP by 17 in the final salvo to run away with the win.
[Fourth Quarter]
Tyler Tio with the three!
Ateneo 95 UP 63#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/3ri9aw3RCA
— Tonichi Regalado (@CHI_TheGUIDON) April 29, 2018
The win could be credited to a combination of Ateneo’s full-court defense as well as UP’s offensive woes according to Ateneo Head Coach Tab Baldwin. “We think [sports] should be a high-pressure activity. Sometimes you don’t get pressure from your opponents. I mean today I think UP played okay; they just didn’t shoot the ball that well,” said Baldwin.
The Blue Eagles will go for their fourth straight win against the University of the East Red Warriors at 2:15pm on Friday, May 4, in the FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan.
QUARTER SCORES:
Ateneo-UP: 17-13, 27-25, 25-20, 31-14
BOX SCORES
Ateneo: Asistio – 14, Verano – 11, J.Nieto – 10, Wong – 10, Maagdenberg – 9, Belangel – 8, Go – 7, Ravena – 5, Mendoza – 5, Kouame -4, White – 4, Mallillin – 4, Mamuyac – 3, Tio – 3, M. Nieto – 3
UP: Akhuetie – 20, Desiderio – 14, Juan Gomez de Llano – 9, Murrell – 9, Vito – 5, Manzo – 4, Javi Gomez de Llano – 4, Prado – 2, Dario – 2, Santiago – 2, Gozum – 1, Jaboneta – 0, Longa – 0, Lim – 0
