By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Ateneo Blue Eagles have made it nine victories in as many matches in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) by doing a repeat over the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 85-72, in their midweek collision yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Got off to a strong start, the Eagles took control of the contest for much of the way and held tight, with help from their bench, as the Bulldogs tried hard to bring them down.

Earlier in the day, the Adamson Soaring Falcons stopped the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors’ winning streak with a 66-57 victory that also got them back on the win column.

The Eagles raced to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes of the opening canto which they used as a good-enough cushion to build a 28-22 lead in the end.

Ateneo opened the second period with four quick points to take their lead to 10 points anew, 32-22.

Jayjay Alejandro, however, would lead a ferocious rally by the Bulldogs, outscoring the Eagles, 22-8, to take the lead, 44-40, at the 2:20 mark of the frame.

The first half would end with NU on top, 48-45.

In the third period, Ateneo climbed back, tying the knot at 52-all midway into the frame.

The jockeying continued after it with the two teams exchanging leads, only for the Eagles to seize command at the end of the quarter, 67-65.

With the outcome of the match still wide open, both teams looked to get early control of the payoff quarter.

Thirdy Ravena and rookie Tyler Tio conspired for seven straight points to help the Eagles to a 76-66 with six minutes to go.

Alejandro once again took charge for NU in its charge-back bid but the Eagles would stay on top of things. Worse for the Bulldogs was head coach Jamike Jarin was ejected from the game with four minutes left in the match for excessive complaining to game officials.

Ateneo stretched its lead to 12 points, 82-70, with two minutes left and banked the win thereafter.

Ravena topscored for the Eagles with 15 points and eight rebounds followed by Matt Nieto and Jolo Mendoza with 10 points apiece.

Rookies Gian Mamuyac and Tio, Isaac Go, Mike Nieto and Raffy Verano came off the bench to give quality contribution for the Eagles, who are now just five wins away from completing a sweep of eliminations.

Alejandro led NU (3-6) with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Ateneo will go up against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws next on Saturday, Oct. 21, while NU has the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Sunday, Oct. 22.

FALCONS WIN
Meanwhile, Adamson rebounded from a loss previously after soaring past erstwhile ascending UE.

Getting balanced production, the Falcons returned to winning, proving themselves hard to keep in step with for the Red Warriors as the game progressed.

It was a competitive start for the game with the two teams not allowing one another to gain much headway but the Falcons would end up on top at the end of the opening frame, 19-16.

Adamson began the second canto with six straight points to extend their lead to nine markers, 25-16.

Alvin Pasaol then would rally the Red Warriors back, getting their deficit down to just two points, 32-30, with less than a minute remaining.

A three-pointer by Jerie Pingoy thereafter would give Adamson more breathing space at the halftime break, 35-30.

The protagonists continued to slug it out to begin the third frame until Jerrick Ahanmisi started humming midway and gave the Falcons more wind.

Adamson held a seven-point cushion, 48-41, with less than four minutes remaining on the clock.

Pasaol and Mark Olayon tried to tow their team back but the Falcons stayed firm and took a 55-48 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

UE started the fourth quarter with much energy, looking to make up for the lost real estate.

The Falcons though would keep the Red Warriors at bay each and every time with the answers coming from all the directions.

The Red Warriors managed to come within five points, 55-50, with three minutes remaining but that was the closest they could get as the Falcons went for the closeout after.

Ahanmisi finished with 14 points, three assists and two steals to lead Adamson while Papi Sarr had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Sean Manganti added 10 points for the Falcons, who improved to 6-3 for the season, good for solo third place.

Pasaol, meanwhile, paced the Red Warriors with 22 points and 12 rebounds with Olayon tallying 16 points.

UE with the loss dropped its first game in its last three matches and is now sporting a 2-7 card.

“UE made it hard for us today. Obviously they are no longer the team that we faced in the first round and they have been playing well of late. We struggled but good thing the boys stayed the course and we won,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren in the postgame press conference.

Adamson next faces defending champions De La Salle Green Archers on Saturday while UE returns against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday.

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