Antipolo City—The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ 91-76 clobbering of the University of the East Warriors has put them in a comfortable place at the end of the first round of the 85th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Center here.
Coach Tab Baldwin believes this after the Blue Eagles posted their fifth win in seven matches, their second consecutive victory since absorbing a 71-76 overtime loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
“We’re pretty comfortable from where we’re at. Of course, we’d like to have a higher placing. But, there’s two games where we lost competitive games,” said Baldwin as Ateneo enters the second round in second place in a tie with the National University Bulldogs.
Dave Ildefonso unloaded a game-high 20 points for the Blue Eagles, who picked up their 11th straight victory over the Warriors over the last six years.
The Blue Eagles, who remain a strong contender for a Final Four spot, made big moves at the start of the third period, and after taking a two-point lead, 46-44, at halftime.
A jumper and a triple from Ildefonso found their marks during a pivotal 17-0 blast, which widened their lead to 17, 63-44 at the 6:02 mark of the third.
Ildefonso combined for 14 points with Rence Padrigao and Angelo Kouame, at the start of the second half.
The Red Warriors, who share fourth with the Adamson Falcons at 3-4, fell behind after they were held to just six point in the third period.
“We played very good basketball today, especially in the second half. We are getting better, we’re growing and learning,” added Baldwin.
Padrigao, who hit 11 points with Bryan Andrade, handed the Blue Eagles their biggest lead at 20 with his two charities, 81-61, with 6:02 remaining.
The UP Fighting Maroons are in front at 6-1, following their 76-51 crushing of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, with Terrence Fortea showing the way with 14 points.
Meanwhile, LJ Gonzales only had nine points, but his driving shot with 17.6 seconds to go lifted the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to a 47-44 triumph over the National University Bulldogs, who were yanked out of the lead at 5-2 in a tie at second with the Blue Eagles.
Royce Alforque’ defense on Michael Malonzo denied the Bulldogs a chance to shoot a basket in the dying seconds, as FEU went on to finish the first round with 2-5 card.
