Ateneo overcomes slow start, beats NU for 3rd place

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo bucked a poor start and scored a 66-54 victory over National University to snare third place in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Falling behind early, 20-8, the Blue Eagles leaned on Chibueze Ikeh to overwhelm the Bulldogs in the second period and overtake them at halftime, 36-26.

Ateneo, then went on cruise control, holding off NU in the second half behind the leadership of Vince Tolentino.

“Our players picked it up with their intensity, both offensively and defensively. That’s why we got back,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga

Ikeh registered a huge double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Tolentino got 15 markers and four boards. Thirdy Ravena added a near double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

“We talked about it before the game and we said that from everything that has happened to our team, from losing 70 percent of our offense in the graduation of Kiefer (Ravena), Von (Pessumal), and Fonso (Gotladera), then losing their other talented teammates, we’re very happy with our finish,” said Arespacochaga.

“We’re very happy with the improvements that we’ve seen from our players who we expect to step up. We’re hoping that this would be a big push off for us in our preparation for the UAAP season.”

Matt Nieto also went down with a right knee contusion at the 4:40 mark of the payoff period, as Ateneo closed the game out in the clutch.

The Bulldogs were just off after the first frame, finishing the game with a 27 percent field goal shooting.

Chino Mosqueda topscored with nine points and three rebounds for NU.

The scores:

ATENEO 66 – Ikeh 18, Tolentino 15, Ravena 14, J. Nieto 4, Babilonia 4, Black 4, Wong 3, Asistio 3, Mendoza 2, Porter 0, Allmond 0, Banzon 0.

NU 54 – Mosqueda 9, Aroga 8, Diputado 6, Salem 6, Gallego 6, Morido 5, Labing-isa 4, Aquino 3, Salim 3, Abatayo 2, Go 2, Yu 0, Cauilan 0.

Quarters: 8-20, 36-26, 52-38, 66-54