DLSU, AdMU down rivals
Games Today (Smart-Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. — UP vs FEU 4 p.m. — Adamson vs UE
Powerhouse Ateneo primed up for its toughest test ahead with a sound beating of National University last night. Nigerian big man Chibueze Ikeh banged in 18 points and 11 rebounds while three other teammates scored in double figures as the Blue Eagles defeated the Bulldogs, 96-83, and inched closer towards a sweep of the first round in the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“We executed well offensively,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, satisfied with the Blue Eagles’ attack underscored by an impressive 48.5 percent shooting clip and 21 assists.
With its sixth straight victory and a continued hold of the top spot, Ateneo has ample momentum going to its muchanticipated showdown with archrival, defending champion La Salle, on Oct.8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Skipper J-Jay Alejandro had a teamhigh 24 points, spiked by five triples, while Enzo Joson and Senegalese center Issa Gaye had 14 points each but the Bulldogs still suffered their third straight loss and fourth overall in six matches.
Earlier, La Salle proved too much for UST, 115-8, to get its title campaign back on track.
Reigning league MVP Ben Mbala missed a double-double performance for the first time after 19 matches but still made his presence felt with 29 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while eight other Green Archers added at least seven points in a high-octane offensive attack that left the Tigers in a mess.
The wire-to-wire victory, the highest winning margin so far this season, could provide La Salle a perfect tonic after falling prey to University of the Philippines 98-87 last week.
In addition, the Green Archers jacked up their record to 4-1 and seized the solo second spot over the Fighting Maroons (3-1) as they hardly missed the services of top playmaker Aljun Melecio, who’s still confined in a hospital due to possible dengue symptoms.
“We played unselfish basketball,” admitted La Salle assistant Miggy Solitaria, clearly impressed with how the Green Archers played fluid offensively underscored by 26 assists, five of them coming from the veteran Andrei Caracut.
The Green Archers’ “Mayhem” defense was also in full display as they forced the Tigers to commit 35 turnovers which they translated to 35 points, mostly off uncontested buckets including that Mbala highlight early in the second canto.
The Scores: