MANILA – Cignal-Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles got its game going in the second half and blasted Petron-Letran Knights, 83-64, in the 2019 PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Bryan Jayson Andrade waxed hot in the third quarter, draining 10 of his 13 points in the period as the Blue Eagles turned a 36-35 halftime deficit to a commanding 63-54 advantage on Thursday.
The huge third quarter spurt was all the reigning UAAP men’s basketball champions needed to take the fight away from the gutsy Knights as the lead swelled to as high as 82-62 late in the game.
Joseph Matthew Nieto also had his share with 12 points and two rebounds.
Matthew Daves added 10 points and nine boards, and Ivorian slotman Ange Kouame bucked foul trouble to nab 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Eagles (4-1).
“Our discipline wasn’t good in the first half and that’s not the right recipe to play basketball,” said Blue Eagles head coach Thomas Baldwin. “But we sorted some things out, BJ, Mike, and Matt (Nieto)hit some shots out and that got us in the right track.”
Jerrick Balanza poured 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Alvin Pasaol added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Jeo Ambohot chipped in 10 points and six boards for the Knights (3-2).
Meanwhile, Ilonggo Clint Doliguez waxed hot from the outside as the Metropac-San Beda University Red Lions cruised to back-to-back wins by beating Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill, 67-55.
Doliguez spurred the Red Lions with 21 points on a 5-of-6 shooting from deep, while also grabbing three rebounds, while James Canlas added 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals./PN
