Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo remained spotless in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball fending off Far Eastern University, 94-82, Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles have the best record in the league with a 3-0 card while the Tamaraws are at 1-2.
Thirdy Ravena had an all-around game with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for Ateneo.
FEU battled back in the fourth with Arvin Tolentino cutting the lead down to nine, 87-78, on a triple but Matt Nieto had the quick counter hitting a three of his own to put Ateneo back up by a dozen, 90-78, with 3:09 left.
Ravena, then, essentially finished FEU after tipping in Anton Asistio’s missed three at the 2:30 mark to give Ateneo a 92-80 lead.
Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga was proud of what his team had done on the offensive side of the floor but he wanted more effort on the defensive end after they allowed FEU to score more than 80 points.
“It’s a high-scoring game and we shot well from the field, even from the three-point line,” said Arespacochaga. “But we also gave a lot of points to FEU and they shot the ball well also and they got to the line a lot of times more than what we would’ve wanted to.”
“But we’re happy to come off with a win, especially since this is our third game in eight days.”
Anton Asistio added 16 points while Matt Nieto and Vince Tolentino combined for 21 points.
Wendell Comboy had 12 points to lead the Tamaraws.