By Adrian Stewart Co
Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles averted a fourth quarter run by the National University (NU) Bulldogs for an 89-75 triumph in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Dave Ildefonso drilled five triples as he finished with 17 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal as the Blue Eagles improved to 11-0 to secure a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
Naturalized center Angelo Kouame chipped in 16 markers, while Bacolodnon Samjosef Belangel delivered nine points and seven assists for the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles went on a 29-12 rampage to start the game before dropping 32 points in the second frame to build a 25-point advantage at the half, 61-36.
Down by 29 heading into the fourth frame, the Bulldogs dropped an 18-3 bomb to pull within 14 with 4:10 to go, 67-81, but that would be the closest they could get.
Janjan Felicilda finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Jake Figueroa had 12 points as the Bulldogs suffered its fourth consecutive loss to drop to 4-7.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (9-2) also clinched a spot in the UAAP Final Four after clipping De La Salle University Green Archers (7-4), 72-69.
Holding to a 64-59 lead midway in the fourth period, the Fighting Maroons leaned on seven unanswered points from Ricci Rivero, Carl Tamayo, and Maodo Malick Diouf for a 71-59 lead.
The Green Archers answered with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 71-69. Rivero widened the lead for UP at 72-69 on a split free throw but Mark Nonoy misfired his potential game winning trey for DLSU.
Tamayo registered 23 points and 11 rebounds while Diouf had himself a day at the boards with 18 to go with 15 points as Rivero ended up with 11 for the Fighting Maroons.
In other results, Far Eastern University Tamaraws prevailed over University of the East Red Warriors, 91-61, while Adamson University Falcons waylaid University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 80-69.
BOX SCORE:
ATENEO 89 – Ildefonso 17, Kouame 16, Belangel 9, Chiu 9, Verano 8, Mamuyac 8, Andrade 6, Tio 6, Koon 5, Lazaro 5, Padrigao 0, Gomez 0, Daves 0.
NU 75 – Felicilda 12, Figueroa 12, Clemente 10, Gaye 9, Ildefonso 7, Torres 7, Minerva 5, Malonzo 4, Mahinay 4, Galinato 3, Joson 2, Enriquez 0, Manansala 0, Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 29-12, 61-36, 78-49, 89-75./ASC, WDJ