THE ATENEO Blue Eagles withstood yet another late game comeback through a 17-point breakout game from sweet-shooting guard Tyler Tio to survive against the gritty Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. The final score stood at 79-70 in favor of Ateneo, as the Blue Eagles secured their second victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
The Katipunan-based squad endured a slow start to the opening quarter, missing their first six attempts and handing FEU an early 8-0 lead. Ateneo stayed calm under pressure as BJ Andrade’s back-to-back three and lay-up ended the quarter with a slim 18-17 lead for the Blue and White.
The Blue Eagles continued to capitalize on their momentum and went on a 19-8 run to finish the second period, highlighted by threes from Dave Ildefonso and Team Captain Gian Mamuyac. Ateneo countered the Tamaraws’ fast-paced style with their patience on offense, tallying 11 assists in the first half en route to a 10-point lead heading into the third quarter, 42-32.
The third quarter started with FEU’s RJ Abarrientos’ efforts to get his Tamaraws back in the game. However, Tio had plans of his own, hitting consecutive threes to extend Ateneo’s lead to 15. Tio continued his hot streak, hitting two more shots from rainbow country, with a couple of mid-range jumpers to cap off a 17-point outing—almost outscoring the FEU squad on his own in the third. The Blue Eagles ended the quarter up 67-51.
A flurry of Ateneo turnovers in the fourth quarter led to a roaring comeback by the Tamaraws, who were down by 18 at one point in the third. FEU closed the deficit to six before Ildefonso hit a three to regain some momentum for Ateneo. The Blue Eagles avoided a Tamaraws comeback in the end, winning 79-70.
Tyler Tio and Dave Ildefonso led the way for Ateneo, both dropping 17 points in the victory. RJ Abarrientos was the leading man for the Tamaraws, with 16 points in a losing effort.
Similar to their first game against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, the Blue Eagles responded to every run the Tamaraws made, recording Ateneo their second victory of the season and improving to 2-0 in the tournament.
Ateneo will face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in their third game of the season on Thursday, March 31 at 10:00 AM at the MOA Arena.
Photo courtesy of the UAAP Season 84 Media Team.
Box Score:
Ateneo (79): Ildefonso – 17, Tio – 17, Andrade – 9, Kouame – 9, Belangel – 7, Verano – 6, Mamuyac – 5, Koon – 4, Mendoza – 3, Lazaro – 2, Chiu – 0, Daves – 0
FEU (70): Abarrientos – 16, Ojuola – 15, Alforque – 12, Torres – 8, Tempra – 8, Gonzales – 4, Bienes – 3, Gravera – 2, Li – 2, Sajonia – 0, Coquia – 0, Sleat – 0
