Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon celebrate after Ateneo beat UST in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo strung up its first back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament after beating shorthanded University of Santo Tomas, 67-64, on Saturday at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Blue Eagles improved to a 3-6 (win-loss) standing after shutting down the Growling Tigers, who played without their star big man Mo Tounkara, behind the double-digit contributions of Andrew Bongo, Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano and Chris Koon.
“I’m proud of the team. And the last thing I want to say is another big factor in that game is this has been a team, for all of its lackings this year, this is a team that is very stingy with the ball,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said.
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Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin talks about their road win over UST. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2E6j0lPpcj
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 19, 2024
“We don’t turn [the ball] over. We put the ball on the rim and we give ourselves a chance. And although we haven’t shot the ball great this year, the eight turnovers today is kind of in line with the way we’ve played all season,” Baldwin added.
Bongo was locked in from the get-go, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench while Espinosa added 11 points and six rebounds. Tuano and captain Koon chipped in 10 apiece.
“Moving on to the second round, there are no more rookies. So, we already know the experience of the UAAP,” the freshman Espinosa said. “We need to know how to be composed. Because knowing in the first round, we’re losing in crucial situations. And maybe in this win, it’s a good win, but there’s a lot to improve.”
Ateneo got off to a fast start, zooming to a 17-4 lead before holding off UST down the stretch.
With the Blue Eagles holding on to a two-point lead in the waning seconds of the game, Sean Quitevis made the game-sealing basket after stealing the ball from Nic Cabañero.
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UST, which missed its leading scorer Tounkara due to a one-game suspension, stumbled to its third straight loss and fifth in the last six games to fall to 4-6.
Cabañero topscored with 18 points while Christian Manaytay tallied 11 for the Tigers. Forthsky Padrigao, who helped Ateneo win the title in Season 85 before transferring to UST, had eight points, three rebounds and five assists.
Ateneo tries to extend its winning streak to three against Adamson next on Wednesday while UST looks to end its skid opposite Far Eastern University on Oct. 27 at Mall of Asia Arena.