Eagles overwhelm Maroons
Austin named PH team import
Powerhouse Ateneo earned the scalp of another perceived Final Four contender last night and the Blue Eagles did it by unleashing another potent weapon.
Blue-chip rookie Tyler Tio provided significant numbers as Ateneo handled University of the Philippines with ease, 92-71, to go on top of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After sitting out last season due to citizenship issue and the team’s 85-65 victory over Adamson over the weekend due to a sprained left ankle, the 5-foot-11 Tio proved he’s worth the wait as he banged in 10 of his 14 points in succession to open the final canto that allowed the Eagles to pull away for good.
“It was a very good performance considering this is just his first game and a little bit rusty coming from injury,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, pleased with Tio’s debut performance highlighted by a 6-of-6 shooting from the field and two assists in 11 minutes of play.
Thirdy Ravena also stepped up with a team-high 16 points including 14 in the second half where the Eagles displayed their well-oiled offensive machine that complemented yet another suffocating defensive stance.
Rookie Juan Gomez de Liano also had 16 points but ace guard Paul Desiderio struggled with just nine points on 4-of-18 shooting from the field as UP dropped to an even 1-1 card.
Earlier, defensive ace Ron Dennison Dennison took up the offensive cudgels in the stretch as Far Eastern University fended off University of the East’s late fightback, 90-83.
Dennison, on his fifth and final year, continued his offensive resurgence as he tallied a team-high 16 points, including six straight inside the last four minutes that enabled FEU to keep a late-charging UE side at bay.
The win served as a soothing balm following a 95-90 loss inflicted by defending champion La Salle last Sunday.
Also coming up big for the Tamaraws was 6-foot-9 Cameroonian Prince Orizu, who pumped in 15 points and 16 rebounds while setting the tone for their early onslaught that helped them build a 19-point lead.
Isaiah Austin has officially began his stint as import for the Philippine team that will compete in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup set Sept. 22-30 in Chenzhou, China after arriving late Tuesday night.
The 7-foot-1 Austin was welcomed by Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who is handling the squad that will be known as Chooks to Go-Pilipinas in the week-long tournament featuring some of Asia's best clubs.
He will be one the team's import alongside Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie, the former University of Perpetual Help standout who is currently undergoing a one-year residency at the University of the Philippines.
Kiefer Ravena has also been listed in the Chooks to Go team that earned a spot in the tournament after Japanese side Sun Rockers Shibuya was forced to withdraw because of scheduling issues.
—JONAS TERRADO