IN THEIR return to action, the Ateneo Blue Eagles fell to the San Beda University Red Lions, 43-49, in the Philippine Collegiate Champions’ League (PCCL) Presidents Cup Semifinal, on Monday, January 21, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City. Angelo Kouame led the Blue and White with 13 points, gobbling up 21 total rebounds (16 DREB, five OREB) in the process. BJ Andrade came off the bench and contributed with 11 points on a 50% shooting clip (⅗ 3pt FG). Sandy Arespacochaga filled in as the head coach for the team, who were without the services of Coach Tab Baldwin.
Ateneo’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Counterparts, San Beda University, were paced by Donald Tankoua, who tallied 18 markers (7/13 FGM) to go along with nine rebounds. Adding fuel to the fire was point guard Evan Nelle, as he scored 12 points, converting three out of four attempts from the three point arc.
With key players absent from the game due to conflicting class schedules, the Blue Eagles fielded an unfamiliar set of starters. Kouame and Thirdy Ravena were joined by Will Navarro, Gian Mamuyac and SJ Belangel. From the get-go the Blue Eagles struggled to find their groove. After Kouame’s easy inside basket to open the game, Ateneo only managed another five points before ending the quarter.
The sharp-shooting Nelle brought the momentum to the side of San Beda early in the second quarter, scoring back-to-back threes. However, the Blue Eagles came out firing with 5:00 left in the quarter, as BJ Andrade led the offensive charge. The Blue and White guard scored all his 11 points in the second quarter.
Leading by only two points at the half, the Blue Eagles went on a 9-2 run to put them on top at 33-24. Consecutive turnovers by Belangel and Ravena spelt the difference and allowed the Red Lions to unleash a 14-0 scoring outburst led by the tandem of Tankoua and Nelle. Despite both Mike and Matt Nieto, as well as Jolo Mendoza coming on to attempt to stop the bleeding, the aggressive play of the Red Lions was enough to power them beyond the reach of Ateneo.
This loss puts the Blue Eagles at a 0-1 card in the Semi-finals round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions’ League (PCCL) against the Red Lions.
The next game of the best-of-three series will be at 4:00 PM, on Thursday, January 24, at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City.
