The Ateneo Blue Eagles get shot down by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 78-83, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Basketball tournament, earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After this match, the Blue and White go down to 2-1 in the elimination round standings alongside the Green Archers and the National University Bulldogs. This defeat also serves as Ateneo’s first loss to their archrivals since UAAP Season 80.
Ange Kouame continues to lead the way for the Blue and White, dropping 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Alongside the Season 84 MVP’s stellar performance was the breakout of rookie forward Kai Ballungay, who had a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double of his own. Both players were outdueled by La Salle’s own Schonny Winston, who came away with 25 points to lead his squad to the victory.
It was a fast-paced first quarter to begin the game, with the veteran shooters from both teams trading haymakers from downtown. Ateneo then took a slim 16-14 lead at the technical time-out after an intense stretch. The Blue Eagles held a surge after the break, going on a 12-4 run to gain a double-digit advantage at the end of the first frame, 28-18.
[First Quarter]
— Ralph Bautista (@Ralph_TheGUIDON) October 9, 2022
Kouame steps back for the high-arcing trifecta!
Ateneo 21 DLSU 14 #UAAPBasketball
The second quarter saw the Green Archers respond to the call, scoring the first 13 points of the period to go up 31-28. Ateneo weathered the storm, responding to the patented Pumaren press by forcing missed shots to get the team in transition, leading to easy baskets and taking the lead back midway through the frame. Strong offensive plays from Schonny Winston kept the game close, keeping the Ateneo lead at one at the halftime break, 47-46.
[Second Quarter]
— Ralph Bautista (@Ralph_TheGUIDON) October 9, 2022
Andrade's rainbow shot halts the 13-0 La Salle run!
Ateneo 31 DLSU 31 #UAAPBasketball
Both teams came out of the locker room with their star players continuing their stellar play as Winston and Kouame kept this game tight. However, the battle of the second units gave De La Salle a slight cushion to end the third quarter, leading 64-62.
[Third Quarter]
— Ralph Bautista (@Ralph_TheGUIDON) October 9, 2022
Abadam's field goal puts the Green Archers in the driver's seat!
Ateneo 62 DLSU 64 #UAAPBasketball
It was an exchange of leads to begin the final period, with no one able to extend on their advantages. In particular, Ateneo had difficulties maximizing ball possession, giving DLSU a precarious lead with three minutes to go. Winston then took the game over, hitting a mid-range jumper to give the Taft-based squad a 79-73 lead. In an effort to rally his team, Ballungay answered with a short stab to bring it back to a single-possession game, 78-81.
With just under 20 seconds to go, Ateneo had an opportunity to knot up the ballgame, but Padrigao was short on a deep three with the DLSU defense draped all over him. Green Archer Evan Nelle then iced the rivalry match with two clutch free throws to give DLSU the victory, 83-78.
[Fourth Quarter]
— Ralph Bautista (@Ralph_TheGUIDON) October 9, 2022
Nelle's free throws pad the La Salle lead to five with 7 seconds to play.
Ateneo 78 DLSU 83 #UAAPBasketball
With the loss behind them, Ateneo will look to regain their momentum against Nic Cabanero and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (1-2). The two teams are set to face each other this Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (78): Kouame – 22, Ballungay – 19, Andrade – 8, Ildefonso – 7, Padrigao – 7, Gomez – 5, Lazaro – 4, Garcia- 3, Chiu – 2, Koon – 1
DLSU (83): Winston – 25, Nelle – 10, Cortez – 8, Quiambao – 7, Abadam – 7, M. Phillips – 6, Austria – 6, B. Phillips – 6, Estacio – 5, Nwankwo – 3
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 28-18, 47-46, 62-64, 78-83
