LEAGUE-leading and still-unbeaten Ateneo Blue Eagles put their unblemished record on the line when they collide with the National University (NU) Bulldogs in midweek University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 action today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Set for 4 p.m., the Eagles (8-0) try to remain unscathed in the ongoing season of the UAAP against the Bulldogs (3-5) who are looking to regain its bite after being tamed in their previous game.
Preceding the Ateneo-NU contest at 2 p.m. is that between the Adamson Soaring Falcons and University of the East (UE) Red Warriors.
Now in its second year under coach Tab Baldwin, Ateneo has positioned itself as a serious title contender with the way it has remained solidly intact more than halfway into the elimination round.
The Eagles are coming off a 71-59 win over Adamson in their last game which set off their second-round campaign to a rousing start.
Ateneo was all over the Falcons right from the start, not allowing the latter to soar as much as they wanted to.
Thirdy Ravena paced an even attack by Ateneo with 15 points to go along with nine rebounds.
Vince Tolentino and Isaac Go each had eight points while Chibueze Ikeh and Aaron Black scored seven points apiece to help the Eagles to another win.
The Eagles highlighted that “defense has been doing it for them” and that they hope to sustain it as they move further deep in the tournament.
Looking to stop Ateneo’s win streak are the Bulldogs, who were conquered by UE, 90-77, last Saturday.
Big man Issa Gaye of Cameroon had a solid double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds while veteran Jayjay Alejandro had a near triple-double of 16 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists but those were not enough to overcome the suddenly ascending Red Warriors.
Meanwhile, Ricci Rivero of the second-running and defending champions De La Salle Green Archers was the recipient of the UAAP’s player of the week honors after averaging 20 points, three assists and 3.5 steals in their back-to-back wins over Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last week.
In winning the award, sophomore Rivero beat out teammate Ben Mbala, Ateneo’s Ravena and UE’s Mark Olayon. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
