Eagles unmask Maroons; Tams rebound
High-flying Ateneo proved every inch the “formidable” opponent that University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol anticipated them to be in yesterday’s “Battle of Katipunan.”
Unleashing a high-profile recruit in Tyler Tio who shot the lights out and an assortment of heroes that furiously fought for possession, the Blue Eagles routed the Maroons, 92-71, for the solo lead in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Tio debuted with 14 points on a perfect 6-for-6 clip, making 10 of them in the fourth quarter to help widen the gap and backstop Thirdy Ravena’s team-high 16 markers.
“We had two guys in double figures and almost everybody contributed offensively. And that’s the way we want to play, we don’t know who’s gonna hit double figures for us each game,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Chiz Ikeh added nine points and seven rebounds for Ateneo while Aaron Black collared 10 boards to go with nine markers.
A standout from Xavier who sat out one year due to citizenship issues and missed the opening game due to ankle injury, Tio gave a performance to remember on his first appearance for AdMU.
Earlier, Far Eastern bounced back from Sunday’s loss to La Salle with a 90-83 victory over University of the East.
The Tams drew double-digit production from Ron Dennison (16), Prince Orizu (15), Barkley Ebona (11), Richard Escoto (11) and Arvin Tolentino (11) to get into the win column and chalk up a first W for coach Olsen Racela.