MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Ateneo bounced back from a shock defeat to Adamson, foiling University of the Philippines, 87-79, even as UST stunned Far Eastern U, 76-74, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum yesterday.
Thirdy Ravena produced team highs 17 points and 11 rebounds while Ivorian Angelo Kouame upstaged Nigerian Bright Akhuetie with 14 points, nine boards and five blocks as the Eagles got back into the groove after dropping a heartbreaking 70-74 setback to the Falcons at the MOA Arena last Sunday.
“Our intensity today is the better reflection of the team we want to be,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
Juan Gomez de Liano had a monster game with a game-high 29 points while Akhuetie turned in an eight-point, 11-rebound and nine-assist effort. But they proved not enough to lift the Maroons to another win after routing the University of the East Warriors, 87-58, in Saturday’s Season 81 inaugurals.
The Eagles also pounced on the ouster of UP mentor Bo Perasol, who was ejected with three minutes remaining in the contest after complaining of an uncalled foul on a missed dunk by Akhuetie.
Earlier, it took UST just two games to match what it did in 14 matches last season, edging the Tams in a frenetic finish for a 1-1 card.
Behind a couple of veterans and nine rookies, the Tigers showed grit and composure in the fourth quarter, fighting back from 56-60 down and stunning the veteran Tams to nail their first win after falling to the National U Bulldogs, 70-75, in Saturday’s opener at the MOA Arena.
Henri Subido atoned for a miserable shooting clip the first time out, scoring 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, while Garmy Mahinay, a rookie out of San Beda, and John Kenneth Zamora, a transferee from Arellano U, came through with clutch shots to help the Tigers snare the victory.
UST coach Aldin Ayo turned emotional after delivering the win for the España-based school, which dropped its first 13 matches last year before edging UE.
The scores:
First Game
UST 76 – Subido 18, Lee 13, Marcos 12, Akomo 10, Huang 9, Cansino 7, Zamora 5, Mahinay 2, Cosejo 0, Cuanan 0, Bonleon 0
FEU 74 – Orizu 25, Cani 15, Escoto 13, Tolentino 6, Comboy 5, Parker 4, Tuffin 2, Ebona 2, Stockton 2, Inigo 0, Gonzales 0
Quarterscores: 15-17; 39-32; 56-52; 76-74
Second Game
Ateneo 87 – Ravena 17, Asistio 16, Kouame 14, Ma. Nieto 12, Mi. Nieto 7, Go 5, Mendoza 5, Wong 5, Verano 4, Black 2, Belangel 0, Navarro 0.
UP 79 – Ju. Gomez de Liano 29, Desiderio 15, Manzo 9, Akhuetie 8, Ja. Gomez de Liano 5, Murrell 4, Dario 3, Gozum 2, Prado 2, Vito 2, Jaboneta 0, Lim 0, Spencer 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24; 46-43; 67-58; 87-79