Soaring Eagles swoop down on Archers
Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. – UP vs NU 4 p.m. – AdU vs FEU
Ateneo big man Angelo Kouame stripped La Salle of possession thrice in his 28 minutes on the floor, leading the Eagles in the ensuing transition and finishing with a three-point play one time and a two-handed slam in another.
With a tour-de-force performance highlighted by 20 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and five blocks, Kouame announced his entry into college basketball’s fiercest rivalry and gave the Eagles a big boost as they dismantled the Archers, 71-55, in yesterday’s UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena.
Kouame helped Ateneo beat La Salle off the boards, enjoying a 54-43 edge overall and 20-17 off the offensive boards, effectively nuetralizing the Archers’ frontline arsenal. The Eagles also tirelessly outworked their rivals in other aspects, dominating DLSU in assists (14-3), steals (11-5), and blocks (74), to set the tone for the comprehensive triumph.
“Ange is doing well. You could see his growth as an individual. You can also see how we’re evolving as a team, maximizing each others’ strength and covering for our weaknesses. One of the team’s strength is Angelo’s presence inside. We’re happy to see him continue to evolve,” said AdMU assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Of course, it wasn’t all Kouame. Anton Asistio (12 markers, three steals), Thirdy Ravena (nine points, six assists), comebacking Raffy Verano (eight markers), Will Navarro (six points, six rebounds, two steals) and Isaac Go (six points, six rebounds) did their share as well to stretch the Eagles’ streak to five games for 5-1 overall.
“It was an intense game, with the rivalry and all that. There are some ups and downs with excitement but more or less, we’re happy with the way our players played the game individually and collectively,” said Arespacochaga.
The key to overcoming the hype of the rivalry, according to veteran Ravena, was treat it the same way as the other schools.
“Tama si coach Tab, just because it’s Ateneo-La Salle, it should be different from other games. Kapag iniisip namin na La Salle, bibigyan lang namin ng pressure ang sarili namin. So we take it as a regular game and in that way, we’ll approach it as our championship game,” said Ravena. The Eagles detonated an 11-0 bomb late in the second to open a 28-21 lead
at intermission. Kouame’s booming trey touched off a 12-5 exchange that enabled Ateneo to seize a 40-26 lead at the start of the third and from there, the Eagles quashed the repeated uprising of the Archers to seal the deal. The Archers slid to 3-3. Earlier, Santo Tomas finally hit the mark from the outside, knocking down 16 treys to pave the way for a 80-66 romp over University of the East.
The Scores First Game UST 80 – Subido 22, Cansino 17, Huang 9, Lee 9, Marcos 6, Zamora 6, Mahinay 5, Caunan 4, Bataller 2, Agustin 0, Lagumen 0, Cosejo 0.
UE 66 – Pasaol 32, Varilla 9, Manalang 8, Bartolome 4, Acuno 3, Beltran 2, Conner 2, Gallardo 2, Lacap 2, Maloles 2, Antiporda 0, Cullar 0, Gagate 0. Quarterscores: 23-17, 39-23, 60-43, 80-66 Second Game AdMU 71 – Kouame 20, Asistio 12, Ravena 9, Verano 8, Navarro 6, Go 6, Tio 5, Nieto Mi 3, Nieto Ma 2, Wong 0, Mamuyac 0, Belangel 0, Mendoza 0
DLSU 55 – Melecio 21, Santillan 7, Dyke 6, Baltazar 4, Montalbo 4, Caracut 4, Bates 3, Serrano 3, Manuel 3, Go 0
Quarterscores: 12-13, 28-21, 50-33, 71-55