Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 23) – Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles rolled to their 11th straight win in UAAP Season 84 after repulsing the National University Bulldogs, 89-75, on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Dave Ildefonso led Ateneo with 17 points and nine rebounds, while big man Ange Kouame contributed 16 markers for the 37th straight victory of the Katipunan-based cagers since Season 81.
The Blue Eagles led from the get-go as the defending UAAP champions flashed their offensive brilliance early – while taking advantage of a sloppy Bulldogs squad – to hold an enormous 61-36 halftime lead.
Ateneo scored 32 points in the second quarter, to follow up with their 29-12 onslaught in the first quarter.
Ateneo’s well-balanced attack continued in the second half, with them recording their biggest margin at 33 points and continued to punish NU from getting good baskets.
“It’s a really good win,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “We played an exceptionally tough team.”
“But I think our quality of play in the first half was as high a standard that maybe I have ever seen,” he added.
Janjan Felicilda tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for NU, while John Figueroa also finished with 12 markers as the Bulldogs dropped their fourth straight game and have yet to win in the second round for a 4-7 record.
Ateneo will go for 12-0 on Tuesday against Adamson University at 4:30 p.m., while NU will look to get past its losing slump against University of Santo Tomas at 7 p.m.
The Scores:
ATENEO 89 – Ildefonso 17, Kouame 16, Belangel 9, Chiu 9, Verano 8, Mamuyac 8, Andrade 6, Tio 6, Koon 5, Lazaro 5, Padrigao 0, Gomez 0, Daves 0.
NU 75 – Felicilda 12, Figueroa 12, Clemente 10, Gaye 9, Ildefonso 7, Torres 7, Minerva 5, Malonzo 4, Mahinay 4, Galinato 3, Joson 2, Enriquez 0, Manansala 0, Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 29-12, 61-36, 78-49, 89-75.
