THE DEFENDING champions topped the Adamson Falcons (AdU), 70-52, in their opening bout for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 on Wednesday, September 4, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles’ stifling defense, 54-42 rebounding advantage, and signature team play highlighted by 19 assists led them to the victory.
Angelo Kouame paced the Eagles with an all-around effort of 17 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and an impressive six blocks. Thirdy Ravena registered his first double-double of the season with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Matt Nieto finished with 14 points and four assists. Second-year forward Will Navarro also impressed with a near double-double of nine points and 11 rebounds.
The Falcons’ one-and-done recruit Val Chauca turned heads with 17 points and four assists, including a scorching hot 14 points during their 19-2 third-quarter run. However, the rest of the squad couldn’t get the ball rolling, shooting a poor 15/54 from the field. Adamson’s leading scorer last year Jerrick Ahanmisi managed only seven markers on 3/12 FG shooting.
After limiting the Falcons to just six points in the opening quarter, the Blue Eagles maintained a 32-23 advantage going into halftime. The lead ballooned to as many as 22 points as Ateneo opened the second half with a slow, but steady 16-3 run. In response, AdU launched a blistering 19-2 streak in the third, cutting Ateneo’s lead to just five points with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
An Ahanmisi layup brought the score deficit to 57-52 with around five minutes left in the game, but that bucket proved to be Adamson’s last of the game. Key baskets from several Blue Eagles and defensive stops from Kouame and Gian Mamuyac allowed Ateneo to end the game on a 13-0 run, sealing the 70-52 victory.
After the game, Blue Eagles Coach Tab Baldwin praised his team’s effort on the glass. “I’m happy that one is over. I want to commend the boys for the way they rebounded the ball. We knew that Adamson would really attack us on the boards,” he said.
However, Baldwin honed in on the team’s poor shooting from the field and 17 turnovers. “Unfortunately, we looked like we never shot the basketball before today—a pretty abysmal 36% [FG%], too many turnovers,” Baldwin explained. “I think we’re just in too much of a hurry on the offensive end.”
The Blue Eagles’ win propels them to a 1-0 record in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, while the Falcons drop to 0-1.
Ateneo will dance with archrivals De La Salle University in their next match on September 8, Sunday, 4:00 PM, at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-Adamson: 16-6, 32-23, 48-35, 70-52
Box Scores:
Ateneo (70): Kouame – 17, Nieto, Ma. – 14, Ravena – 10, Navarro – 9, Belangel – 7, Go – 4, Nieto, Mi. – 3, Wong – 3, Mamuyac – 2, Tio – 1
Adamson (52): Chauca – 17, Ahanmisi – 7, Douanga – 7, Camacho – 4, Fermin – 4, Flowers – 4, Manapaz – 4, Lastimosa – 3, Magbuhos – 2
