The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles kept their perfect record intact after defeating the resilient National University Bulldogs, 74-64, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This win was unlike any other Ateneo has had this season as NU pushed them to the hilt, especially after Reyland Torres swished a trifecta to bring the Bulldogs to within three with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter, 64-67. However, the Blue Eagles held their ground, with Dave Ildefonso scoring on a hard drive to the rack and Gian Mamuyac beating the shot-clock buzzer with a triple that gave them a 72-64 advantage.
“NU’s a good basketball team coming into this game,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. “I think we expected that but I’m not sure we respected that enough. There is still a lot of work for us to do. I’m delighted that we got the win because NU made us fight every inch for that win.”
Ange Kouame flirted with a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks for Ateneo.
Ildefonso topscored with 14 points and three assists, while SJ Belangel got 11 points and seven rebounds.
Ateneo cruised to 5-0 while NU slipped to 2-3, joint fifth with Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.
Reyland Torres led the Bulldogs with 14 points while John Lloyd Clemente had 12 points on 14 shots, including a woeful 1-of-7 from deep.
