Ateneo’s Dave Ildefonso. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo handily disposed of National University, 89-75, on Saturday, extending its winning spree to 11 and inching closer and closer to a sweep and automatic finals berth in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball at Mall of Asia Arena.
Playing to their desired 40-minute full performance, the Blue Eagles buried the Bulldogs with 30-point lead, 68-38, midway through the third period and fought off a comeback NU was trying to mount late in the game.
Dave Ildefonso topscored with 17 points for Ateneo, which with the way it was playing could breeze through to the finals if it repeats over Adamson, Far Eastern University and University of Philippines in its last three matches.
Shaun Ildefonso, Dave’s older brother, tried to spearhead the Bulldogs in a late surge as they came to within 14 points (81-67) with four minutes left. But Eagles guard SJ Belangel doused it off with a three-pointer in the next play.
NU suffered its fourth straight defeat and fell to 4-7 as it remained winless in the second round of eliminations.