THE ATENEO Blue Eagles successfully ended their first round campaign with a spotless 7-0 slate after a 91-80 triumph against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a competitive first quarter between Ateneo and UST as the Blue Eagles edged out the Growling Tigers, 27-19. Ateneo could have extended the lead to double digits, but the last second attempt by Tyler Tio failed to beat the buzzer.
Ange Kouame proved to be the spark Ateneo needed in the second quarter as his breakaway slam off of a BJ Andrade steal catalyzed an 11-4 run for the Blue Eagles to end the half, 50-34.
The Katipunan-based squad continued their momentum in the third, built upon an acrobatic and-one play and three from Tio. The Blue Eagles surged forward with a short stab-and-three from Team Captain Gian Mamuyac, giving Ateneo a comfortable 18-point lead heading into the fourth, 74-56.
Sherwin Concepcion waxed hot for UST in the final frame after draining back to back threes, but Ateneo proved to be too much after Tio continued his groove with two triples and a one-legged floater. Ateneo finished the game, 91-80.
Sweet-shooting guard Tio led all scorers with 20, highlighted by an impressive 4/5 shooting clip from downtown, followed by a season high 10 points for Andrade. Concepcion had 22 markers for UST.
With the win, the Blue Eagles successfully complete a sweep of the first round. There has been no official announcement from the UAAP concerning the schedule of games for the second round of the tournament.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UST: 27-19, 50-34, 74-58, 91-80
Box Score
ADMU (90):
Tio – 20, Andrade – 10, Koon – 9, Belangel – 9, Kouame – 8, Mamuyac – 8, Ildefonso – 6, Daves – 6, Lazaro – 4, Gomez – 3, Chiu – 3, Padrigao – 3, Verano – 2
UST (80):
Concepcion – 22, Manalang – 10, Fontanilla – 9, Cabanero – 9, Santos – 9, Pangilinan – 8, Mantua – 5, Manaytay – 3, Gomez De Liano – 3, Ando – 2
