Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon have a good time after Ateneo beat UST in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo strung up its first back-to-back wins within the UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball event after beating shorthanded College of Santo Tomas, 67-64, on Saturday at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Blue Eagles improved to a 3-6 (win-loss) standing after shutting down the Growling Tigers, who performed with out their star large man Mo Tounkara, behind the double-digit contributions of Andrew Bongo, Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano and Chris Koon.
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“I’m pleased with the crew. And the very last thing I need to say is one other large consider that recreation is that this has been a crew, for all of its lackings this yr, it is a crew that may be very stingy with the ball,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin mentioned.
READ: UAAP: Kris Porter, Jared Bahay embrace stress of main Ateneo
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin talks about their street win over UST. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2E6j0lPpcj
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 19, 2024
“We don’t flip [the ball] over. We put the ball on the rim and we give ourselves an opportunity. And though we haven’t shot the ball nice this yr, the eight turnovers as we speak is sort of in keeping with the best way we’ve performed all season,” Baldwin added.
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Bongo was locked in from the get-go, ending with 14 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench whereas Espinosa added 11 factors and 6 rebounds. Tuano and captain Koon chipped in 10 apiece.
“Shifting on to the second spherical, there aren’t any extra rookies. So, we already know the expertise of the UAAP,” the freshman Espinosa mentioned. “We have to know tips on how to be composed. As a result of understanding within the first spherical, we’re dropping in essential conditions. And perhaps on this win, it’s an excellent win, however there’s so much to enhance.”
Ateneo bought off to a quick begin, zooming to a 17-4 lead earlier than holding off UST down the stretch.
With the Blue Eagles holding on to a two-point lead within the waning seconds of the sport, Sean Quitevis made the game-sealing basket after stealing the ball from Nic Cabañero.
READ: UAAP: Baldwin says struggling Ateneo feeling the stress
UST, which missed its main scorer Tounkara attributable to a one-game suspension, stumbled to its third straight loss and fifth within the final six video games to fall to 4-6.
Cabañero topscored with 18 factors whereas Christian Manaytay tallied 11 for the Tigers. Forthsky Padrigao, who helped Ateneo win the title in Season 85 earlier than transferring to UST, had eight factors, three rebounds and 5 assists.
Ateneo tries to increase its successful streak to a few towards Adamson subsequent on Wednesday whereas UST appears to finish its skid reverse Far Japanese College on Oct. 27 at Mall of Asia Area.