Eagles rip bulldogs, near 1st-round sweep

Games on Wednesday (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay)

10:30 a.m. – NU vs FEU

12:30 p.m. – UE vs ADMU

4 p.m. – UP vs DLSU

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion Ateneo trounced National U, 71-50, to stay perfect and move two wins away from a first-round sweep in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo yesterday.

In the second match, Santo Tomas got back on track with a huge 82-74 win over FEU largely behind the solid game of super-rookie Soulemane Chabi Yo with 21 markers and 15 boards.

Sherwin Concepcion (12), Mark Nonoy (11), Renzo Subido (11) and Rhenz Abando (10) registered key numbers as the Growling Tigers improved to 4-2 for solo third spot behind pacesetters Ateneo (5-0) and UP (4-1).

Ivorian slotman Angelo Kouame imposed his will, swatting seven shots on top of 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals in an all-around outing to anchor the Blue Eagles’ domination of the Bulldogs.

Gian Mamuyac rifled in 13 markers while skipper Thirdy Ravena and Adrian Wong chipped in eight and six, respectively, for the three-peat seeking Ateneo which allowed NU a meager 28-percent clip compared to the Eagles’ decent 40-percent shooting.

“We’re happy to get that win under our belt. Our field goal doesn’t flatter our play at 40 percent and it’s something we need to continue to work on but at the other end, our defense is doing a good job. Generally, I thought the effort was where it needed to be,” said Ateneo mentor Tab Baldwin.

The scores:

ATENEO 71 – Kouame 15, Mamuyac 13, Ravena 8, Wong 6, Belangel 5, Ma. Nieto 5, Mi. Nieto 5, Andrade 3, Tio 3, Chiu 2, Credo 2, Daves 2, Maagdenberg 2, Go 0, Mallillin 0, Navarro 0.

NU 50 – D. Ildefonso 10, S. Ildefonso 9, Gaye 8, Clemente 5, Galinato 5, Yu 4, Minerva 3, Joson 2, Mangayao 2, Mosqueda 2, Diputado 0, Gallego 0, Malonzo 0, Oczon 0, Rangel 0, Tibayan 0.

Quarterscores: 20-11, 41-24, 50-37, 71-50

Second Game

UST 82 – Chabi Yo 21, Concepcion 12, Nonoy 11, Subido 11, Abando 10, Bataller 8, Paraiso 3, Ando 2, Cansino 2, Huang 2, Cuajao 0.

FEU 74 – Gonzales 16, Torres 14, Ebona 11, Comboy 10, Bienes 6, Tuffin 6, Alforque 4, Stockton4, Nunag 3, Cani 0, Celzo 0, Tchuente 0.

Quarterscores: 14-24, 34-39, 64-55, 82-74.