MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles hacked out a 78-47 domination of Adamson University Falcons in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Thursday the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Naturalized center Angelo Kouame was the lone player to hit double figures for the defending champions Blue Eagles with double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Christian Tyler Tio and Christopher Koon added nine markers apiece, while rookie Rence Padrigao, Raffy Verano and Gab Gomez each had eight as the Blue Eagles improved to 3-0.
The Blue Eagles made its presence felt early with a 17-8 first quarter score. The Soaring Falcons closed the gap to eight at the start of the second half after a strong second quarter finish, 28-36.
But the Blue Eagles answered back with 18 unanswered points, highlighted by Kouame’s three-pointer, to build a 26-point lead with 1:54 left in the third, 54-28.
The match was so lopsided that Blue Eagles head coach Thomas “Tab” Baldwin has fielded in all his 14 available players will all of them also making at least a basket.
“We think everyone has a job to do. Today, we got everyone on the floor which we should do,” said Baldwin.
The former Gilas Pilipinas mentor added that the lopsided win also served as a preparation as they battle collegiate rival De La Salle University Green Archers on Saturday evening.
It was a drought for the Falcons with Aklanon forward Keith Zaldivar and Cameroonian center Lenda Douanga as their leading scorers with just six points apiece.
Cedrick Manzano, formerly of Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix, contributed five markers along with Joaquin Jaymalin, Ahmad Didat Hanapi and Joshua Yerro.
BOX SCORE:
ATENEO 78 – Kouame 13, Tio 9, Koon 9, Padrigao 8, Verano 8, Gomez 8, Ildefonso 6, Chiu 3, Mendoza 3, Mamuyac 3, Belangel 2, Lazaro 2, Andrade 2, Berjay 2.
ADAMSON 47 – Zaldovar 6, Douanga 6, Manzano 5, Yerro 5, Jaymalin 5, Hanapi 5, Lastimosa 4, Magbuhos 3, Peromingan 2, Sabandal 2, Erolon 2, Colonia 1, Calisay 1, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Maata 0.
Quarterscores: 17-8, 36-24, 54-34, 78-47./PN
