Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) – The Reigning titlists Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles survived a game that tested their character as they repulsed the National University Bulldogs, 74-64, in UAAP Season 84 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Dave Ildefonso – who spent his first collegiate years with NU – led Ateneo with 14 points while Angelo Kouame came out with huge numbers of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks to help Ateneo improve to a 5-0 slate and notch their 31st straight win since Season 81.
The Blue Eagles held a sizeable margin throughout the first three quarters – leading by as much as 11 points in the second canto – but the early moments of the fourth period was a different story.
The Bulldogs mounted a 9-2 scoring run capped by Janjan Felicilda converting a well-contested layup to cut their deficit to just one, 59-60.
The bleeding stopped when Ateneo sharpshooter Jolo Mendoza drained an open three-point basket in the next play off a timeout called by head coach Tab Baldwin.
NU remained determined in snatching the lead from the defending champions, with their nearest attempt coming from a trey by Reyland Torres for a one-possession deficit at 64-67 with 2:52 remaining in the game.
But the Blue Eagles responded with a huge 7-0 scoring run in the last minutes, which was started by top scorer Ildefonso going hard to the basket for a 69-64 lead.
Gian Mamuyac connected a rainbow shot in the next play and was followed by another strong finish to the hoop by Raffy Verano as the Bulldogs fumbled their shots in the dying moments.
Torres paced the NU with 14 points while John Lloyd Clemente added 12 markers for the Bulldogs, who dropped to a 2-3 slate.
The Blue Eagles seek to continue their flawless start against the winless UE Red Warriors on Thursday at 4 p.m. while NU will face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 1 p.m.
The Scores:
ATENEO 74 – Ildefonso 14, Kouame 12, Belangel 11, Tio 8, Mendoza 7, Verano 6, Mamuyac 6, Chiu 5, Koon 4, Andrade 1, Lazaro 0, Padrigao 0
NU 64 – Torres 14, Clemente 12, Felicilda 10, Malonzo 6, Ildefonso 5, Yu 5, Manansala 4, Figueroa 2, Joson 2, Enriquez 2, Galinato 2, Minerva 0, Tibayan 0, Gaye 0, Mahinay 0
Quarterscores: 20-14, 41-33, 58-50, 74-64
