MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles extended its dominance to UAAP 3×3 basketball after defeating University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the finals, 19-13, on Sunday night at the Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig City.
Led by Angelo Kouame, Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III, Matt Nieto and Matthew Daves, the Blue Eagles edged the Growling Tigers of Henri Lorenzo Subido, Soulemane Chabi Yo, Rhenz Abando and Dave Ando.
The Blue Eagles jumped to a quick 6-2 lead in the gold medal game on inside hits from Kouame. The Growling Tigers attempted to come close but the Blue Eagles pulled away at 13-7 on a dunk by Ravena.
The lead grew further to 17-9 on back-to-back hits by Nieto and Kouame but the Growling Tigers threatened to within 13-17 on shots from Chabi Yo and Abando before Ravena sealed the win with an inside hit.
In the semis, the Blue Eagles defeated the De La Salle University Green Archers, 15-7, while the Growling Tigers cruised to a hard earned 14-11 victory over University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Prior to the semifinals and finals, the Blue Eagles were dominant in the two-day eliminations with a perfect 6-0 win-loss slate, while Tigers, Green Archers and Maroons all had 3-3 win-loss slate.
In the women’s 3×3 basketball, National University Lady Bulldogs walloped Adamson University Lady Falcons in the finals behind Jack Danielle Aninam, Ria Nabalan, Monique del Carmen and Congolese Rhena Itesi./PN
