FEU, UST kickoff semifinals on Wednesday
By Adrian Stewart Co

Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) swept the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball elimination round earlier this week with an 86-64 win over the University of the Philippines (UP) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. With the win, AdMU secure a spot in the finals.
Angelo Kouame tallied 20 points, 12 rebounds, five rejections, two assists, and one steal for AdMU; while Bacolodnon point guard Samjosef Belangel added 14 markers; Will Navarro provided 13 points, two boards, two dimes, and two steals; and Ilonggo forward Ferdinand ‘Thirdy’ Ravena III contributed 11 points, five assists, four boards, and three steals.
From a seesaw battle in the opening period, AdMU leaned on Belangel in the second frame as he led a 19-2 rally that turned a 25-24 deficit into a 43-27 lead. From that point, it was all Ateneo, whose lead grew to as much as 24 points.
“We understand that this is a significant accomplishment for a basketball team in a season,” said AdMU head coach Tab Baldwin. “As you all know, the job isn’t done; this is the season before the season.”
The post-season, meanwhile, begins on Wednesday, November 6, when Far Eastern University takes on the University of Santo Tomas at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The winner will advance to meet UP on November 10 at the same venue./ASC, WDJ