Ateneo shuts down NU, improves to 2-1

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Defending champion Ateneo delivered a masterful defenisve performance to crush National University, 72-46, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Saturday night at smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles clamped down on the Bulldogs from start to finish to chalk up their second straight win after dropping their season opener at the hands of the league-leading Adamson Falcons last September 9.

“I thought our defense was the way we wanted it to be played,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. “Never any excuse not to play that way now so I like it when we set a standard, we set a precedent now we have something to live up to because NU, it’s not like they’re easy to beat.”

But Ateneo made it look easy.

The Eagles got going in the second quarter after a slow start to build a 33-18 halftime spread that ballooned to as much as 27 points in the final frame.

Thirdy Ravena collected 13 points, four rebounds and three steals through three quarters while Anton Asistio added nine points and Angelo Kouame had 12 rebounds three blocks with five points to boot.

Enzo Joson was the only Bulldog in double-figures with 11 points as NU was held to just 28 percent from the field, including 1-of-16 from the 3-point area.

Dave Ildefonso, the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet, scored just four points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field with three turnovers after averaging 17.5 points in his first two games.

NU, which scored nine points in each of the first two quarters, slipped to 1-2.