THE ATENEO Blue Eagles dropped the Far Eastern (FEU) Tamaraws in their 11th contest in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, October 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Blue Eagles’ win gifts them an 11-0 record, while FEU stumbles to 5-6 for the season.
Ange Kouame led the Blue Eagles’ charge with 10 points, and 15 rebounds, 12 of which came from the offensive glass. Thirdy Ravena followed up with a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds, while Rookie Pat Maagdenberg set a new career-high with nine markers on 4/4 FGs.
The Tamaraws’ charge was headed by LJ Gonzales’ 12 points and Rey Bienes’ eight markers. Wendellino Comboy caught fire in the fourth quarter, hitting two threes en route to eight points for FEU.
The Tamaraws opened the afternoon on fire as they led Ateneo 40-29 at halftime. This 11-point lead was the largest any opposing team has managed against the defending champions this season. However, Ateneo responded with stellar second half defense, limiting the Tamaraws to 15 second half points. With FEU on top 46-47 going into the fourth, Ateneo jumped ahead on a 7-0 run, and never relinquished the lead thereafter.
Ateneo Head Coach Tab Baldwin shared his thoughts on Ateneo’s turnaround in the second half. “We looked like we wanted to be snails out there [in the first half] with our movement. It was pedantic. It was slow. It was purposeless. It was robotic, [and] it was everything you train to not be, and yet it was,” Baldwin said. “In the second half, we went back to having energy and intellect in our offensive actions so we were able to produce much more.”
The Blue Eagles aim to continue their win-streak as they prepare to go against the lethal University of the East Red Warriors (3-8) on Sunday, October 20, 2:00 PM, at the Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 18-15, 29-40, 46-47, 65-55
Box Scores:
Ateneo (65): Ravena – 10, Kouame – 10, Navarro – 8 Wong – 8, Belangel – 5, Daves – 4, J. Nieto – 4, Mamuyac – 3, Go -2, M. Nieto – 2, Andrade – 0, Tio – 0
FEU (55): Gonzales – 12, Bienes – 8, Comboy – 8, Tuffin – 6, Cani – 4, Ebona – 4, Stockton – 4, Tchuente – 4, Torres – 3, Alforque – 2
