MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles leaned on its experience to escape with a 71-70 win over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 53-60 in the early goings of the fourth period, the Blue Eagles banked on inside hits by Angelo Kouame, William Navarro and Gian Mamuyac for a 64-62 edge.
UST regained the lead for the last time at 67-64 on free throws by Sherwin Concepcion and a Renzo Subido triple but Ateneo answered with hits from Thirdy Ravena and Kouame foe a 68-67 edge.
Both team traded misses and the Tigers had another chance to take the lead. But Kouame foiled Soulemane Chabi Yo’s basket as Ravena extended Blue Eagles edge to 70-67 on two free throws.
The Tigers had a chance to tie but Crispin Cansino missed his triple. Mike Nieto gave the Blue Eagles a 71-67 edge before Subido nailed a triple at the buzzer as Ateneo escaped with a one-point win.
Ravena finished the match with double-double 17 points and 11 rebounds as Kouame chipped in with 11 points and 10 boards as the Blue Eagles improved to 3-0 win-loss slate.
Chabi Yo tallied 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Subido, Rhenz Abando and Negrense Mark Nonoy had nine points each as the Tigers dropped to 2-1 slate./PN
