MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles moved closer to an outright finals seat in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball after an 88-51 domination of National University Bulldogs at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Angelo Kouame top-scored with 17 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks on Saturday while Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III chipped in 15 markers for the two-time defending champions.
Currently with a 13-0 win-loss record, the Blue Eagles can clinch an outright finals seat when it completes the elimination round sweep. It faces the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday.
After surrendering the first two points of the game to the Bulldogs, the Blue Eagles zoomed to a 17-6 edge on baskets from Kouame and Ravena before settling for a 22-12 edge after the quarter.
The Bulldogs threatened to within single digits in the second period but the Blue Eagles created distance from their opponents behind inside hits by Kouame for a 44-27 halftime edge.
Ateneo went for the kill in the second half with Kouame easily scoring against Bulldogs defenders and Ravena, Adrian Wong and Samjosef Belangel connecting from outside.
Meanwhile, as the Bulldogs dropped to 2-11 win-loss slate, Shaun Ildefonso finished with 21 points, while JV Gallego and Jonas Tibayan submitted nine and eight markers, respectively./PN
