UAAP: Tyler Tio sparks Ateneo past FEU for 2-0 start
Ateneo guard Tyler Tio. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Tyler Tio caught fire in the third quarter to ignite Ateneo’s 79-70 win over Far Eastern University for the early 2-0 lead in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Tio waxed hot with 17 points in the third quarter, scoring eight straight points to help the Blue Eagles build a 56-42 spread that ballooned to as big as 63-42 after hitting a three-pointer to beat the shot clock with 2:32 left the period.
However, FEU unleashed a fourth quarter surge with RJ Abarrientos pacing his team’s 15-5 run, capped by his assist to Emman Ojuola to trim the lead to 72-66 with 4:34 to play
Dave Ildefonso came to the rescue for the Blue Eagles with a crucial trey, followed by SJ Belangel’s clutch floater for a 77-68 breather before the former sealed their second win, sinking his two free throws.
Tio finished with 17 points, shooting 4-of-6 beyond the arc in the third quarter alone. He also collected two rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Ildefonso also scored 17 points on top of four rebounds, two assists, Ange Kouame posted nine points and 11 boards, BJ Andrade chimed in with nine markers, while Belangel added seven points, six assists and two steals.
‘TOUGH GAME’
The defending champion followed up its 90-81 victory over University of the Philippines last Saturday and also stretched its win streak to 28 straight games, not losing a UAAP match since October 11, 2018 against FEU.
“Really tough game. But you always get that from Olsen and his team. They’re just a tough organization and they don’t give anything away easily and that’s the case again today,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
“We had a good third and looked like we were going to get away, they won’t give up, they changed things up. We have some principles that we believe in and we’re not achieving those things.”
FEU had a blazing 8-0 start but Ateneo was quick to get its act together with Josh Lazaro giving its first lead of the match, 16-15, with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Eagles started to pull away in the second quarter with Belangel delivering the brilliant plays to unleash a 16-4 run, capped by Ildefonso’s triple in the 1:06 mark for a 39-28 spread.
Abarrientos led the Tamaraws with 16 points, struggling from the field with 4-of-13 shooting, and had five rebounds, three assists and a block. Ojuola put up a monstrous double-double 15 points and 17 rebounds including two blocks, while Toyaks Alforque added 12 markers, seven boards, two assists and two steals.
L-jay Gonzales made his season debut, after missing their first win over University of Santo Tomas due to an ankle injury, and finished with four points, five rebounds, two dimes and a steal as FEU slid to 1-1.
The Scores
ATENEO 79 — Ildefonso 17, Tio 17, Andrade 9, Kouame 9, Belangel 7, Verano 6, Mamuyac 5, Koon 4, Mendoza 3, Lazaro 2, Chiu 0, Daves 0.
FEU 70 — Abarrientos 16, Ojuola 15, Alforque 12, Torres 8, Tempra 8, Gonzales 4, Bienes 3, Gravera 2, Li 2, Sajonia 0, Coquia 0, Sleat 0.
Quarters: 18-17, 42-32, 67-51, 79-70.
