THE BATTLE between Katipunan and Recto did not disappoint in the matchup between the undefeated Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the winless University of the East (UE) Red Warriors. After a threatening run from the underdog Red Warriors in the first half, Ateneo eventually pulled away as they tightened the screws in the latter portion of the game.
Ateneo improved to a 6-0 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a win earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
The Red Warriors kept up with the pace of the Blue Eagles at the start of the game, going back-and-forth with the defending champions. Electing to go zone on the defensive end, UE forced Ateneo to settle for 3-pointers, limiting the Blue Eagles to only one from outside. After making seven turnovers and failing to make more than four field goals, the Katipunan-based university ended the first quarter in unfamiliar territory with the game tied at 15-15.
After another slow start in the second quarter, the boys in blue steadily started to find their footing and began to drain their threes. UE refused to back down, countering Ateneo’s punches with a few of their own to keep the game tied midway through the quarter.
Despite the displays of their offensive firepower, the Blue Eagles were unable to separate themselves from the Red Warriors. This came as a result of UE shooting at a 50% clip from beyond the arc and Coach Tab Baldwin’s team going only 9/17 from the charity stripe. Heading into the break, the Red Warriors managed to tie the Blue Eagles, 39-39.
It was a game of runs in the third quarter, with both squads exchanging leads coming out of the locker room. As the Red Warriors—specifically sharpshooter Kyle Paranada—continued to step on the gas, the Ateneo veterans Ange Kouame and Dave Ildefonso took matters into their own hands to keep UE from extending their precarious two-point lead.
The story of the quarter, however, came from Team Captain Gian Mamuyac, who scored 13 straight baskets for the Blue Eagles to give them their biggest lead of the game. The Blue and White opened up a double-digit lead, 26-16, at the conclusion of the third.
Kouame took advantage of the smaller Red Warriors in the fourth quarter, taking away rebounds from the undersized UE bigs while having his way on the inside for easy baskets. The Ateneo lead continued to balloon and the boys from Katipunan never looked back, as they took a comfortable 94-72 victory.
Mamuyac destroyed any hope for an upset from UE after he waxed hot in the third, finishing the game with 21 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Kouame followed suit with 21 points of his own, to go alongside his 13 rebounds and four blocks after he took over in the fourth quarter.
Paranada and Kris Pagsanjan gave Ateneo problems defensively, with a flurry of threes between the two giving them 15 points each to lead UE in scoring.
The Blue Eagles are one win away from a perfect first round, but after their struggles in the past few games, they will be careful of the threat from the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. A Season 82 finals rematch will be their final game of the first round on Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 PM at the MOA Arena.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UE: 15-15, 39-39, 65-55, 94-72
Box Score:
ADMU (94): Kouame – 21, Mamuyac – 21, Ildefonso – 12, Belangel – 12, Daves – 6, Gomez – 5, Tio – 4, Koon – 4, Chiu – 4, Mendoza – 3, Lazaro – 2, Padrigao – 0, Andrade- 0, Mallillin – 0
UE (72): K. Paranada – 15, Pagsanjan – 15, Escamis – 8, N. Paranada – 8, Guevarra – 6, Antiporda – 6, Cruz – 4, Lorenzana – 4, Catacutan – 4, Beltran – 2, Abatayo – 0, Sawat – 0, Villanueva – 0, Tulabut – 0, Cruz – 0, Pascual – 0
