MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles held off the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 91-80, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball over the weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Tyler Tio spearheaded the offense with career-high 20 points, including four outside conversions, while Bryan Andrade chipped in 10 markers for the defending champions Eagles.
With the win, the Blue Eagles capped off the first round of elimination with undefeated record in seven matches while also extending its UAAP winning streak to 33 games.
Ahead 50-34 at the half, the Blue Eagles were stunned by a huge third quarter rampage by the Growling Tigers, which cut the deficit to 43-50 on a Joshua Fontanilla layup.
However, Ateneo kept its composure and was able to rebuild its 16-point advantage entering the fourth, 74-58, behind conversions from Andrade and Tio.
“UST has always been like that,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We gave up 80 points. That’s a little bit too much for us. We’re happy we came out with a win.”
Sherwin Concepcion delivered 22 points on a 6-of-14 clip from rainbow country, while Paul Manalang added 10 markers as UST slipped to its third straight loss to 2-5.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, meanwhile, stretched its winning run to six games after outlasting Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 83-76.
Holding to a 76-74 lead, the Fighting Maroons leaned on back-to-back baskets by Carl Tamayo and Joel Cagulangan for an 80-74 advantage with 45.1 seconds left.
Ljay Gonzales made a layup on the other end for the Tamaraws but Ricci Rivero retaliated with a dagger three-point play to ice the win with 14.4 ticks on the clock.
Zave Lucero finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and a block, while Carl Tamayo and Rivero chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the 6-1 Fighting Maroons.
BOX SCORE:
ATENEO 91 — Tio 20, Andrade 10, Koon 9, Belangel 9, Kouame 8, Mamuyac 8, Ildefonso 6, Daves 6, Lazaro 4, Gomez 3, Chiu 3, Padrigao 3, Verano 2, Mallillin 0, Mendoza 0.
UST 80 — Concepcion 22, Manalang 10, Fontanilla 9, Cabanero 9, Santos 9, M. Pangilinan 8, Mantua 5, Manaytay 3, Gomez de Liano 3, Ando 2, Samudio 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 50-34, 74-58, 91-80./PN
