Second stringer Pat Maagdenberg shines in latest Ateneo win

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo looked the farthest from a defending champion during its disastrous first half against Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament.

The Blue Eagles trailed 40-29 heading into the break but there was one bright spot for them in the form of substitute forward Pat Maagdenberg.

Ateneo’s hefty role player had seven points in the first two quarters and finished with nine points and four rebounds, three of which were under the offensive glass.

“As always it just feels good to finally go out there and do my part,” said Maagdenberg after the Blue Eagles’ 65-55 win over FEU Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Whether I get minutes or not, I’m always happy to do my job all the time.”

Maagdenberg eventually slowed down in the latter part of the game as Ateneo turned to a team-based attack and flexed its championship might in subduing FEU.

Ateneo was brutal in the last two quarters tallying advantages in overall scoring (36-15), rebounding (34-17), scoring off turnovers (16-0), converting in the paint (16-4), shooting free throws (13-3).

“We started talking to each other in the second half, we made sure that we’re all focused on the goal and that was to do our jobs to the best of our abilities,” said Maagdenberg who averaged 1.8 points a game prior to the match against the Tamaraws.

The win bumped Ateneo’s winning streak to 11 games to keep its perfect record so far even as FEU dropped to 5-6 for the fifth seed.

“Today it was a good learning lesson for us to know that we can’t take anyone in the league lightly,” said Maagdenberg. “Everyone is gunning for us because we’re undefeated and everyone will play their best against us.”