By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE flight of defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines got further wind on Wednesday after they beat out the University of the East Red Warriors, 89-62, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Used a strong effort in the middle quarters, the Eagles were unrelenting on the Warriors as they ran away with the victory, their third straight after starting their season campaign with a loss.
Ateneo had it dominant to start the contest, pounding on UE late in the opening quarter to take a 24-10 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.
The Warriors tried to make up some ground in the second period only to find a not-too-willing party in the Eagles who continued to pile on the pressure on UE.
On the strength of a balanced attack, the Eagles would move on to hold sway, 43-31, at the break.
The Eagles came out firing to start the third canto behind Thirdy Ravena, Will Navarro, and Matt Nieto.
They outscored the Warriors, 15-5, to extend their lead to 58-36 at the midway point of the frame.
UE though would rack up eight straight points after, led by guard JC Cullar, to narrow their deficit to just 14 points, 58-44, at the 3:16 mark.
Anton Asistio and Isaac Go would help Ateneo restore order as the team finished strong to hold a 68-44 advantage heading into the final canto.
Veteran Alvin Pasaol tried to rally the Warriors back only to see the Eagles stand their ground in command and deflect any comeback.
The count stood at 79-52 with five minutes remaining on the clock, and Ateneo comfortably ahead, and it was all Eagles the rest of the way.
Raffy Verano led the Eagles (3-1) with 12 points before limping out late in the game after apparently spraining his ankle.
Navarro finished with 11 while Asistio and Jolo Mendoza had nine points apiece.
Angelo Kouame and Ravena each scored eight points for the Eagles.
Pasaol, meanwhile, paced UE (0-4) with 17 points and eight boards followed by Wilson Bartolome with 12 markers.
“We knew entering the game that UE does not quit no matter the score so we wanted to match it up until the end,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga in the postgame press conference, referring to the mindset they had in the contest.
Ateneo next plays the University of Santo Tomas (1-2) on Sept. 29 while UE takes on Far Eastern University (2-1) on Sept. 30.

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