Rising squads

Angelo Kouame. Photo by Tristan Tamayo

Ateneo, thanks to its rising big man star, is back alone on top. University of the Philippines continues to rise from the dumps.

But National University’s Lady Bulldogs deserve a lion’s share of the spotlight.

Angelo Kouame followed up his best game of the season with  another double-double while Thirdy Ravena provided the Blue Eagles a lift in his return with an all-around performance in a 90-70 drubbing of the University of the East Red Warriors  Wednesday in UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-10 Kouame, who finished with 33 points and 27 rebounds against Far Eastern U last Saturday, fired 18 points and grabbed 16 boards, this time, while Ravena finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists after sitting out the last game due to suspension.

Tyler Tio also stepped up in the absence of Matt Nieto with a career-high 16 points as the Eagles proved unrelenting from start to finish for their eighth win in 10 games.

“We had a terrific first half both on offense and defense,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “Generally we’re happy with our offense, we’re gonna take a look at our defense in the third quarter because in the second half UE outworked us. It’s a good thing we had that cushion.”

The Fighting Maroons finally got a breakout game from Paul Desiderio, who tossed a season-best 31 points to power UP past FEU, 95-82, in a battle of Final Four contenders.

Desiderio found his groove early, going 6-for-6 from beyond the arc in the first eight minutes of the game as the Maroons established an advantage that allowed them to weather the Tamaraws’ surge in the second half.

“I have to commend Paul because of the way he started the game,” said UP coach Bo Perasol. “He really gave us the confidence that we can win the game.”

3-game slide

The loss was FEU’s third straight and another defeat at the hands of third-running La Salle on Saturday could put the Tamaraws’ once promising Final Four bid in doubt.

National University overpowered Adamson University, 86-58, for its 73rd straight win—matching the record in all sports in the UAAP.

Coach Pat Aquino’s troops were all business as the Lady Bulldogs, who are seeking a fifth straight crown, equaled the Lady Falcons’ softball winning streak that lasted from January 2010 to March 2016.

“My mind-set was to win this game. Let’s forget the streak. Let’s forget 73-0. Let’s forget 9-0. It’s just a game that we have to play,” said Aquino.

Mounting pressure

“The pressure is already mounting. I told my players to let’s just go out and play our game,” he added.

NU, which has not tasted defeat since losing to De La Salle in the championship decider on Oct. 5, 2013, aims to set a new league mark of 74 games against University of Santo Tomas at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Congo’s Rhena Itesi had 23 points, 14 rebounds and two assists while reigning MVP Jack Danielle Animam, Ria Nabalan and Jeanne Camelo each scored 12 markers for the Lady Bulldogs.

Desiderio has been UP’s main man the last two seasons and seemed poised for another strong campaign heading into the season.

But his play has been overshadowed by sophomore sensation Juan Gomez de Liano and the entry of Bright Akhuetie.

De Liano had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, while Ahkuetie added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Maroons tied their victims at fourth spot with a 5-5 record.

Despite getting 29 points from Alvin Pasaol, the Warriors are now on the brink of elimination after falling to 1-9.