THE ATENEO Blue Eagles chalk up their third straight win in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup after dominating the FAITH Colleges of Batangas Bravehearts, 92-53. The preseason contest between the two teams was played today in the City of San Juan.
This victory over the Bravehearts launches the Blue and White into a 3-5 win-loss record in the said preseason cup.
Second-year swingman Kai Ballungay paced Ateneo yet again, chalking up a game-high 22 points on 76.9 percent shooting from the field. Ballungay’s frontcourt partner, Joseph Obasa, followed suit with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
It was smooth sailing for the Blue Eagles all throughout the four quarters as the Bravehearts struggled to keep up with the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions’ height and size. Aside from outscoring the Bravehearts in the paint, 52-20, the Blue and White also out-hustled their opponents in the rebounding department, 53-25.
Overall, the Loyola-based squad put up an impressive shift on both ends of the ball, shooting an efficient 52.9 percent from the field while restricting FAITH Colleges to a 23/65 (35.4%) shooting clip.
After the game, Ateneo Head Coach Tab Baldwin lauded his boys for not resting on their laurels and respecting the opponent in front of them.
“We talked about that before the game, having the right mentality all the time. If we want to be competitive, we always have to be urgent. If it’s a dead ball, free throw situation, or even if you’re being subbed off the bench. These opportunities are very precious for these young men,” he said.
Coach Baldwin’s men will look to end their Filoil campaign on a high note as they come up against the St. Clare College of Caloocan Saints tomorrow, June 9, at 4:00 PM in the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (92): Ballungay 22, Obasa 13, Espinosa 11, Nieto 11, Chiu 8, Tuano 8, Lazaro 6, Ong 5, Quitevis 5, Credo 3, Gomez 0, Padrigao 0.
FAITH Colleges (53): Dimawala 11, Fernando 11, Tan 10, Torrato 7, Navarez 5, De Castro 3, Amparo 2, Llamado 2, Millares 2.
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-FAITH Colleges: 24-13, 42-21, 67-34, 92-53
