Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — Reigning champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles obliterated the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 101-51, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Already assured of their seventh straight Final Four spot, the league-leading Blue Eagles displayed another dominating performance as they notched their 36th consecutive win in the UAAP men’s seniors basketball tournament.
It was Raffy Verano’s turn to lead Ateneo’s offense with 18 points and seven rebounds.
The Blue Eagles built a commanding 46-21 halftime edge which ballooned to 53 points in the final quarter.
The 50-point blowout was the biggest margin of victory since the computerization of UAAP stats in 2003. The 101 points were also the third highest output for Ateneo under head coach Tab Baldwin against the Growling Tigers. They scored 102 points against the España-based squad in 2017 and again in 2018.
SJ Belangel and Geo Chiu chipped in 16 points and 14 points, respectively, for the Blue Eagles, while rookie Joshua Lazaro added 12 points off the bench.
Dave Ildefonso and Angelo Kouame were the other Ateneo players who scored in double digits with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Rookie Nic Cabanero was the lone player to score in double figures for UST with 18 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
The Blue Eagles aim to keep their sweep bid alive against the National University Bulldogs on April 23, while the Growling Tigers hope to bounce back versus the surging Adamson University Soaring Falcons on the same day.
The scores:
Ateneo (101) — Verano 18, Belangel 16, Chiu 14, Lazaro 12, Ildefonso 11, Kouame 10, Koon 9, Andrade 6, Padrigao 5, Mamuyac 0, Tio 0, Gomez 0, Daves 0.
UST (51) — Cabanero 18, Manaytay 9, Fontanilla 8, Manalang 7, Concepcion 5, Yongco 2, Santos 2, Ando 0, Herrera 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Garing 0, Mantua 0, Pangilinan 0.
Quarterscores: 22-8, 46-21, 80-36, 101-51.
