UAAP: Ateneo blasts UE, improves to third

Ateneo’s Anton Asistio. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo used a strong third quarter to take down a resurgent University of the East, 84-69, to climb up the standings in the UAAP Season 79 Seniors’ Basketball Tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles improved to 3-2, good for third spot in the eight-team league, while UE remained winless in five games.

UE outscored Ateneo, 23-10, in the second quarter but the Blue Eagles were able to turn it around by upstaging the Red Warrios, 28-14, in the penultimate period.

“Harder win. We knew that UE was going to go all out and the score doesn’t tell the whole story of this game,” said coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “In the greater scheme of things, this was a game where we grew up.”

“We had a terrible second quarter but we had a good third and fourth.”

Mike Nieto and Chibueze Ikeh spearheaded Ateneo’s counter attack in the third, scoring eight points apiece in the quarter.

Anton Asistio led Ateneo with 21 points while Adrian Wong added 17.

Alvin Pasaol had a game-high 22 points to go along eight boards for UE.

The Scores
Ateneo (84) – Asistio 21, Wong 17, Ikeh 11, Nieto Mi. 11, Ravena 7, Nieto Ma. 7, Verano 4, Go 3, Tolentino 3, Babilonia 0, Mendoza 0, Porter 0, White 0.
UE (69) – Pasaol 22, Batiller 11, Varilla 7, Abanto 6, Derige 6, Charcos 4, Olayon 3, Manalang 3, De Leon 2, Palma 2, Penuela 2, Larupay 1, Acuno 1, Bartolome 0, Gagate 0, Armenion 0.
Quarters: 20-9, 30-32, 58-46, 84-69