Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Contrary to its first two games, Ateneo hardly broke a sweat this time as it routed University of Santo Tomas, 89-72 in the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Mike Nieto led the Blue Eagles with 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Isaac Go had 10 markers and four boards.
Chibueze Ikeh, Anton Asistio, and Jawuan White all tallied nine points in the blowout for Ateneo.
Setting the tone from the get-go, the Blue Eagles ran to a 29-14 lead and never looked back, taking a lead as high as 25, 63-38 in the third quarter.
The Growling Tigers slowly crept their way back, inching to as close as 13, 81-68, with a Carlos Escalambre trey with 3:16 left, but Go quickly quashed that run as Ateneo won its first game in three outings.
“We’re just a work on progress as is everybody right now,” admitted coach Tab Baldwin. “I don’t take stock very much on the results. We’re just looking at the details on how we play. Our system is very immature right now.”
Jordan Sta. Ana made the most of his opportunities as he paced UST with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Jeepy Faundo got 10 markers and four boards.
Nigerian big man Steve Akomo had nine points and eight rebounds in his debut for the Growling Tigers. /atm
The Scores:
ATENEO 89 – Mi. Nieto 15, Go 10, Ikeh 9, Asistio 9, White 9, Ma. Nieto 7, Verano 6, Wong 6, Ravena 5, Tio 5, Porter 3, Tolentino 3, Black 2, Mendoza 0, Mamuyac 0, Ildefonso 0.
UST 72 – Sta. Ana 11, Faundo 10, Akomo 9, Lee 7, Escalambre 7, Afoakwah 7, De Guzman 6, Garcia 5, Garrido 4, Macasaet 3, Huang 1, Basibas 1, Caunan 1, Romero 0, Soriano 0.
Quarters: 29-14, 45-28, 66-48, 89-72.