DAVE ILDEFONSO and Tyler Tio scattered 17 points each as Ateneo beat Far Eastern University (FEU) to go 2-0 won-lost in its bid for a fourth-straight crown in University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball action on Tuesday.
Naturalized big man Ange Koume tallied nine points and 11 rebounds also for the Blue Eagles as the UAAP wound up Day 2 of its comeback season in an eerily cavernous but quiet Mall of Asia Arena where fans and students are barred from entering.
“It’s really tough game. But you always get that with Olsen [Racela] and his team,” said Balwin, referring to FEU coach Racela, an Ateneo alumnus. “They’re just a tough organization and they don’t give anything away easily and that’s what happened today.”
The Blue Eagles almost squandered a 63-42 third-quarter lead after the Tamaraws narrowed the gap to 66-72 deficit with four and a half minutes remaining.
Ildefonso made a triple to stretch his team’s lead to 75-66 with three minutes to go and the Blue Eagles’ defense clamped down on the Tamaraws the rest of the way.
RJ Abarrientos had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists and Emman Ojuola booked 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Tamaraws who dropped to a 1-1 record.
Adamson University routed University of the East (UE), 82-66, for its first win of the season with
Jerom Lastimosa posting 14 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting. The Red Warriors fell to 0-2.
De La Salle defeated National University, 59-55, for back-to-back wins also on Tuesday, sending the Bulldogs to a 1-1 record.