By Adrian Stewart Co

A second quarter run by Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) helped in securing their 81-69 win over De La Salle University (DLSU) last Sunday in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mike Nieto tallied 18 points for AdMU, along with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals; while his brother Matt chipped in 15 points and three boards; Gian Mamuyac added 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals; and Angelo Kouame contributed 19 rebounds, six points, and five blocks.
Holding to a slim 30-28 lead early in the second quarter, AdMU then went on a huge 21-1 run behind the Nietos to build a commanding 51-29 advantage at the half.
DLSU narrowed to gap to single digits on several occasions but Mamuyac scored timely conversions for AdMU to seal the win.
“I think that break we had at the end of the second quarter was a surprise to us—and it was a surprise for them,” said AdMU head coach Tab Baldwin. “In the end, it was the cushion I think that we depended on in the second half.”/ASC, WDJ