Ateneo stopped its two-game skid and fended off Japan, 80-74, for its second win in the 2018 William Jones Cup Wednesday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.
The Blue Eagles improved to 2-2 after losing two straight games while Japan dropped to 1-3.
Angelo Kouame put up 15 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks to lead Ateneo, which enjoyed balanced scoring in trumping the Japanese.
Thirdy Ravena flirted with a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds to go along three steals while Adrien Wong and Matt Nieto had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Takuma Sato led Japan with 12 points while Koyo Takahashi and Keita Imamura had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Ateneo also had solid contributions from Gian Mamuyac and Jolo Mendoza who had nine and eight points, respectively.