EAGLES CLAW BULLDOGS
SWEEP WITHIN REACH
Games today (Ynares Sports Center Antipolo) 2 p.m. – UE vs FEU 4 p.m. – UP vs DLSU
Mighty Ateneo thumped an ousted National U, 88-51, to move an inch away from completing an elimination round sweep and gaining an automatic finals slot in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Top MVP candidate Ange Koaume once again flaunted his might over the Bulldogs, chalking up 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assist and three blocks in only 23 minutes of action as the Blue Eagles zeroed in on the finals with a 13-0 record.
Team captain Thirdy Ravena chipped in 15 markers, four boards and three assists while Tyler Tio (9), Adrian Wong (8) and SJ Belangel (7) were also solid for Ateneo much to the delight of mentor Tab Baldwin.
“It’s satisfying. I’m just so proud of them for the work ethic that they have, the work that they do for our team, and for them to get the opportunity to go out and produce for our team and to see them do that,” he said as Ateneo once again imposed its defensive grit on NU which was limited to a paltry 29-percent shooting clip.
Coming off a 34-point win over UE last week, the unstoppable Eagles overpowered the cellardwellers right from the opening tip with a 22-12 start en route a massive 37-point blowout that only bolstered their bid for a third straight UAAP title.
But still, there’s no stopping Ateneo – just yet – until the ultimate mission has been accomplished with last year’s runner-up UP standing as its last hurdle in the eliminations next Wednesday.
“It’s a very satisfying win but again, it’s not over. So now we look forward to UP. Nothing changes. Next game is the last game,” added the seasoned international mentor.
Shaun Ildefonso put up 21 points and four rebounds while his brother Dave was handcuffed by Ateneo’s suffocating defense and held to a season-low two points that certainly did not help the cause of the Bulldogs who remained at the bottom with a 2-11 slate.
Later, Santo Tomas held on to a narrow 80-74 win over Adamson to end its elimination round campaign at 8-6, good for at least a playoff for one of the three remaining Final Four spots.
Rookie Mark Nonoy unleashed 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists while Soulemane Chabi Yo (16), Rhenz Abando (13) and Renzo Subido (12) shared the load for the Tigers, who now await the fortunes of Final Four rivals UP (8-4), FEU (7-6) and La Salle (6-6)
to determine their fate.
Joem Sabandal and Jerrick Ahanmisi scored 18 and 11, respectively, for the eliminated Falcons (4-9). The Scores: First Game Ateneo 88 – Kouame 17, Ravena 15, Tio 9, Wong 8, Belangel 7, Mamuyac 5, Mi. Nieto 5, Andrade 4, Daves 4, Go 4, Malilin 4, Chiu 3, Maagdemberg 3, Ma. Nieto 0
NU 51 – S. Ildefonso 21, Gallego 9, Tibayan 8, Minerva 4, Clemente 3, Gaye 2, D. Ildefonso 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mangayao 0, Mosqueda 0, Oczon 0, Yu 0 Quarterscores: 22-12, 44-27, 65-36, 88-51 Second Game UST 80 – Nonoy 17, Chabi Yo 16, Abando 13, Subido 12, Concepcion 8, Paraiso 5, Cansino 4, Ando 2, Huang 2, Bataller 1
Adamson 74 – Sabandal 18, Ahanmisi 11, Camacho 10, Douanga 7, Chauca 6, Lastimosa 6, Fermin 4, Manlapaz 3, Mojica 3, Bernardo 2, Magbuhos 2, Yerro 2, Flowers 0
Quaterscores: 26-22, 43-42, 65-55, 80-74