Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — The Ateneo de Manila University regained its winning form in UAAP Season 85 after overwhelming the University of Santo Tomas (UST), 79-52, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ateneo came from a tough loss against archrival De La Salle University last Sunday, its first setback this season.
Forthsky Padrigao atoned for his awful performance in their previous game by registering a career-high 20 points, eight assists, five steals, and three rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
Dave Ildefonso contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for Ateneo.
UST kept it close for the entire first half, trailing only by a point at the halftime break.
The Blue Eagles once again relied on their vaunted third-quarter attack, which was highlighted by a 14-2 run that turned a one-point edge into a 57-43 advantage heading into the final quarter.
UST’s attempt at a comeback was foiled with the exit of foreign student-athlete Adama Faye, who picked up his fifth foul off a technical after a verbal spat with Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin in the third canto.
It was all Ateneo in the fourth frame as the Katipunan-based squad outscored UST, 22-9, to seal its third win in four outings this season.
Nic Cabanero paced UST with 12 markers, four boards, and two assists.
Ateneo will be going up against reigning champion University of the Philippines in a rematch of last season’s finals on Oct. 16, while UST faces University of the East on the same day at the MOA Arena.
