A SHOW of dominance was on display in the battle between the first-placed Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the last-placed University of the East (UE) Red Warriors earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Despite a couple of runs to keep the game interesting, Ateneo eventually remained undefeated in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Opening the game for the Blue Eagles was BJ Andrade, who waxed hot early with two triples. Meanwhile big man Ange Kouame crashed the board tallying double-digit rebounds with about three minutes still remaining in the first quarter. Ateneo went on to take the quarter, 20-17.
The Katipunan-based squad’s suffocating defense proved to be too much for UE as the Red Warriors only managed to score three points in the second period, with their only field goal coming late with 1:42 left in the first half. Ateneo went to outscore the Red Warriors 18-3 in the second canto to end the half, 38-20, built off the Blue Eagles’ continued hot shooting, capitalized by two threes once again from Andrade.
The Blue Eagles started the second half by opening up their largest lead of the game at 23 points. Clint Escamis tried to stop the bleeding for the Red Warriors, recording the team’s first five points to keep the deficit from becoming insurmountable in the third frame. Andrade, however, kept his hot streak from the first half going, splashing home a triple to prevent any momentum going the scrappy Red Warriors’ way.
Led by Nico Paranada and Escamis, UE closed the gap to 10 before Tyler Tio’s three and Josh Lazaro’s buzzer beater put a stop to the 8th seed’s scoring run, as Ateneo held a 12-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
It was more of the same in the final frame as the defending champions were able to sustain their big lead despite a scare by the gritty squad from Recto. Proving themselves capable of responding to any challenge posed by an opposing team, the Blue Eagles earned a 76-63 victory.
Andrade continues to find his groove this season, leading the Blue Eagles in scoring and dropping a career-high 19 points against UE. Kouame followed suit, taking advantage of the undersized Red Warriors with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
N. Paranada and Escamis both had big games, with 18 points and 13 points respectively, to lead the Red Warriors in the scoring department. This, however, was not enough to upset the now 9-0 Ateneo Blue Eagles.
After taking care of their first two opponents of the 2nd round,the Blue Eagles take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Thursday, April 21, 10:00 AM, at the MOA Arena.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UE: 20-17, 38-20, 56-44, 76-63
Box Score:
Ateneo (76): Andrade – 19, Kouame – 14, Belangel – 13, Verano – 6, Ildefonso – 5, Lazaro – 4, Chiu – 4, Koon – 3, Mamuyac – 3, Tio – 3, Padrigao – 2, Mendoza – 0, Daves – 0, Gomez – 0
UE (63): N. Paranada – 18, Escamis – 13, Pagsanjan – 11, K. Paranada – 7, Lorenzana – 5, Je. Cruz – 3, Beltran – 2, Tulabut – 2, Sawat – 2, Villanueva – 0, Guevarra – 0, Abatayo – 0, Ja. Cruz – 0, Antiporda – 0
