THE ATENEO Blue Eagles sustained their sharp form in their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 campaign with a commanding 2-0 rout of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. The contest took place this afternoon at the Quantum Skyview Deck of the Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City.
Game 1
Playing his first UAAP NBA 2K match since the first-semester tournament, Luis Jovellanos (Oklahoma City Thunder) squared off against FEU’s Stanley Estacio (Boston Celtics). Both players relied on different strategies to gain the upper hand, with the Blue and White resorting to long-range threes while the Tamaraws kept it inside the shaded area. A Chet Holmgren step-back jumper gave Jovellanos the slight edge at 11-9 by the end of the first quarter.
Continuing his charge in the second frame, Jovellanos picked up right where he left off. Capitalizing on open lanes and cutting players, the Blue Eagle extended the lead to almost double digits, 25-17. Not willing to relent, however, Estacio came back swinging in the third period, taking the lead on a Kristaps Porzingis drive to the cup with three minutes left, 32-31.
Despite surrendering the lead in the penultimate frame, the Blue and White came alive to seal the deal in the final quarter of play. With the score deadlocked at 42-all, Jovellanos sank a smothered three-pointer using NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to take a 45-42 lead. Adding the final nail in the coffin, Ateneo’s mid-range conversion from the right wing wrapped up the game with a 47-42 scoreline.
Game 2
In the second game, Paolo Medina debuted the Houston Rockets for the first time in the tournament against FEU’s Nehemiah Maninit (Thunder). The pick and roll play between Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren worked wonders for the Tamaraw, as he got off to a fiery start, 8-2. Despite falling into an early deficit, defending champion Medina was quick to counter, utilizing Alperen Sengun’s interior offense to take a slim 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Medina started to find his offensive rhythm in the second canto with his drive-and-kick-offense that led to open three-pointers. Continuing to crash the boards utilizing Rockets center Sengun, the Blue Eagle scored 20 points in the second quarter alone to extend the lead to nine, 32-23.
Displaying more familiarity with the newly-selected team, Medina continually took dominant control of the tempo in the second half. The defending champion leveraged Amen Thompson’s length at the point-guard position to secure multiple anticipated steals. His ability to push the pace eventually led to a 64-48 victory at the virtual Toyota Center, consequently bagging Ateneo’s second win of the tournament.
After his and Medina’s dominant victories versus FEU, Jovellanos cited the winning mentality that precipitated the Blue and White’s win.
“It’s really the confidence. We were confident with the team, in the preparation, and even studying the games yesterday,” the Blue Eagle said.
Looking to repeat a similar outcome, the Blue and White will take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a virtual Battle of Katipunan tomorrow, May 15, at 2:30 PM at the same venue.
Game Scores:
Ateneo-FEU (2-0): 47-42, 64-48
Group B Standings (Points Overall):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles: 2-0 (5)
- UP Fighting Maroons: 1-0 (3)
- DLSU Green Aces: 0-1 (1)
- FEU Tamaraws: 0-2 (0)
