Games on Saturday (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
2 p.m. – DLSU vs UST/ 4 p.m. – FEU vs ADU
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Ateneo stretched its unbeaten record to six games and moved on the cusp of a first-round sweep while National U finally barged into the win column after a string of heartbreaks in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay City yesterday.
The Blue Eagles soared past UE, 85-68, as they geared up for the game against UP this Sunday in a showdown between last year’s finalists.
Meanwhile, Juan Gomez De Liano nailed a game-winner in the last 7.8 seconds as UP scored a come-from-behind 72-71 thriller over La Salle.
Earlier, the Bulldogs overcame a painful 0-5 start, four of which were decided at the last second, by putting on a defensive clinic en route to a 61-39 win over FEU.
Angelo Kouame produced 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for Ateneo, which kept pole position with a 6-0 record.
The 17-point win, however, did not come on a silver platter as Ateneo trailed in the first quarter for the first time this season, 21-25, largely behind the Red Warriors’ pesky defense.
First Game
NU 61 – D. Ildefonso 20, Oczon 9, S. Ildefonso 8, Gaye 7, Clemente 6, Gallego 3, Joson 3, Yu 3, Mosqueda 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Malonzo 0, Mangayao 0, Minerva 0, Rangel 0, Tibayan 0.
FEU 39 – Ebona 17, Stockton 7, Nunag 5, Gonzales 4, Bienes 2, Comboy 2, Tempra 2, Alforque 0, Bayquin 0, Cani 0, Celzo 0, Mantua 0, Tchuente 0, Torres 0, Tuffin 0.
Quarterscores: 14-6, 37-13, 47-24, 61-39
Second Game
Ateneo 85 – Kouame 16, Ravena 15, Wong 11, Navarro 9, Belangel 6, Go 6, Mamuyac 6, Tio 5, Maagdenberg 4, Chiu 3, Ma. Nieto 2, Mi. Nieto 2, Andrade 0, Credo 0, Daves 0, Mallillin 0.
UE 68 – Suerte 15, Conner 9, Tolentino 9, Diakhite 8, Abanto 6, Cruz 6, Camacho 5, Mendoza 5, Pagsanjan 5, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0.
Quarterscores: 11-15, 34-35, 69-50, 85-68
Third Game
UP 72 – Paras 21, Akhuetie 17, Gomez de Liano Ju 10, Rivero 9, Manzo 5, Tungcab 5, Webb 3, Jaboneta 2, Gob 0, Gomez de Liano Ja 0, Murrell 0, Prado 0, Spencer 0.
LA SALLE 71 – Caracut 16, Melecio 16, Baltazar 13, Bartlett 8, Malonzo 7, Manuel 5, Serrano 4, Lojera 2, Bates 0, Cu 0.
Quaterscores: 14-18, 29-36, 52-59, 72-71