By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles waxed hot in the overtime period as they defeated the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 99-89, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night, October 22.
Mason Amos opened the scoring in the extension period with a short jumper and a three-pointer, followed by an inside hit from Joseph Obasa as the Blue Eagles surged to a 92-85 lead.
Crispin John Cansino pulled the Fighting Maroons to within 87-92 with an inside hit, but could not score a follow-up as the Blue Eagles pulled away behind free throws by Jason Credo.
Amos finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Koon delivered 17 points and seven rebounds, while Obasa had 13 points, eight rebounds and five blocks as the Blue Eagles improved to 4-3.
“Obviously, [I was] very delighted with the win. It was a character game for us. UP is a great team and they played great. I think that they did UP stuff the entire game,” head coach Tab Baldwin said.
“I think we just did a good job keeping composed. We know they’re gonna make a comeback because they’re a good team, so we just stay composed and stick to what we can control,” Amos said.
Cansino led the Fighting Maroons with 22 points and six rebounds. Reigning MVP Malick Diouf had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano produced 12 points for UP as they dropped to 6-1.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers finally tasted a victory this season after taking down the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 68-62, to improve to 1-6 and snap its 19-game losing skid.
Nicael Cabañero led the way with 23 points, with 11 coming in the third quarter, while Capiznon center Christian Manaytay added 10 markers and 11 rebounds for the Growling Tigers.
“This will give us confidence going into the next round. We’re going to be happy today and we’re going to work again … Let’s see what our adjustments [are]. Continue kami to show pride, puso, palaban,” Cabañero said.
ATENEO 99 — Amos 19, Koon 17, Obasa 13, Ballungay 10, Brown 9, Credo 8, Espinosa 8, Nieto 7, Quitevis 3, Lazaro 3, Chiu 2, Gomez 0.
UP 89 — Cansino 22, Diouf 13, Abadiano 12, Belmonte 9, Torres 8, Torculas 6, Lopez 5, Cagulangan 5, Alarcon 5, Alter 3, Felicilda 1, Briones 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18, 44-43, 68-63, 80-80, 99-89./ASC, WDJ