THE ATENEO Blue Eagles’ impressive run of form rolls on as they defeat the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 79-64, on Saturday, October 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Inside points continue to be a trend in the Blue Eagles’ offense, as the Blue and White went on to garner 42 inside points for the third consecutive time this season. The Blue Eagles were also impressive on the defensive end in today’s match—holding NU a well 4.68% below their average of 38.5 field goal percentage in the season.

Thirdy Ravena went a step above his usual self today, recording 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists for his third double-double this season. Meanwhile, Angelo Kouame put up his sixth double-double of the season, posting 19 points, 17 rebounds, and a whopping six blocks in another strong showing for the big Ivorian.

Rookie point guard SJ Belangel also made an impression in today’s match as he put up a career-high scoring output of 11 points to go along with three assists in about five minutes of action.

In the first quarter, the Blue Eagles raced to a 5-0 scoring run in the first minute through a Ravena and-one and a Verano jumper. The Bulldogs struggled mightily to answer back on the offensive end, with Issa Gaye’s bucket serving as NU’s only set of points in a near six minutes of play. Kouame continued to attack the paint in the 3:40 mark, giving the Blue Eagles an 11-point advantage, 17-6. The Blue and White’s offensive firepower maintained their lead heading into the break, 22-11.

Threes told the tale early on in the second quarter, as John Lloyd Clemente answered Belangel’s triple with a three of his own in the first 30 seconds of play, 25-14. Belangel’s aggressiveness was on display this quarter. The rookie went for steals and completed a successful attack to the basket at the 7:40 mark for his seventh point of the contest.

The Blue Eagle offense continued rolling, as a Tyler Tio pull-up jumper at the 6:30 mark prompted NU Head Coach Jamike Jarin to call a timeout with his team trailing by 15, 29-14. When play resumed, the Bulldogs looked to Clemente to provide their scoring, as the off-guard poured in buckets from the perimeter to cut the deficit. Ravena and Kouame, however, were in inspired form for the entirety of the half. On top of Kouame’s first half double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, Ravena’s 16 first-half points helped see the Blue Eagles through to halftime with a favourable 22-point cushion, 47-25.

Clemente was on fire to begin the third quarter, as he made it rain from downtown with two triples and a bucket to score eight of the Bulldogs’ first ten points at the five minute mark. The Katipunan-based side responded with shots from Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, Ravena, and Isaac Go keeping the Blue Eagles out of the Bulldogs’ reach. Eventually, Belangel’s pump-fake gave him enough time to hit a buzzer-beating jumper that closed out the quarter in the Blue Eagles’ favour, 65-47.

Matthew Daves’ putback at the 9:30 mark served as the opening basket in the final quarter of play for the Blue and White. In this quarter, the Blue Eagles refused to release their foot off the gas as Ateneo continued pouring in the basket.  

At the three minute mark, BJ Andrade fed Kouame with a pass from midcourt to build a 17-point lead, forcing NU to talk things over. Eventually, the Blue Eagles’ 14 fourth quarter points were enough to dust aside the NU Bulldogs, 79-64.

Speaking on his sixth double-double this season, Angelo Kouame took time to heap praise on his teammates and coaches for helping him achieve the feat. “Well, I’ve got nothing to say about it. Thank you to my coaches [and my teammates] for giving it to me, and pushing me to improve even more.”

The win secures the Blue Eagles a spot in the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 Men’s Basketball tourney. They will be looking to exact revenge on the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday, November 4, at 4:00 PM at the Ynares Sports Centre, Antipolo City.  

Quarter Scores:

(Ateneo-NU): 22-11, 47-25, 65-47, 79-64

Box Scores:

Ateneo (79): Ravena – 23, Kouame – 19, Belangel – 11, Verano – 7, Go – 7, Tio – 3, Black – 3, Mendoza – 2, Mamuyac – 2, Daves – 2

NU (64): Clemente – 25, D. Ildefonso – 13, S. Ildefonso -7 , Diputado – 5, Yu – 5, Gaye – 4, Joson – 3, Rike – 2