WITH Rence Padrigao showing the way against scrappy Far Eastern University, Ateneo passed its initial test in its redemption bid last night.
Bolstered by a decisive fourth quarter run, the Blue Eagles pulled off a 79-70 decision over the Tamaraws in both teams’ opener in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Padrigao, a sophomore on the squad, scattered 19 points, to go with six rebounds, and seven assists for Ateneo, while skipper BJ Andrade wound up with 15 markers and two dimes.
Dave Ildefonso also had 14 and 12, while naturalized Filipino center and reigning MVP Ange Kouame notched 12 points and 14 boards for the Eagles. Chris Koon added 11 points.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin gave his wards plaudits for showing resolve in the face of FEU’s gritty stand.
“Scrappy, for sure. We got the typical FEU fight, they beat us to the ball, a lot of loose balls, a lot of rebounds, they outhustled us,” Baldwin said. “But in the fourth quarter, we found some energy reserves and we started getting those balls and started getting the rebounds.”
“We had big players make big shots, which is not really the formula that is sort of the one that I like, but nonetheless, it’s excellent to have players who have the toughness to take those shots,” he added.
In the other game, National University leaned on a fourth quarter assault and turned back University of the East 77-70 for its first win.
On opening day two days ago, University of Santo Tomas downed Adamson University 69-60, while defending champion University of the Philippines edged La Salle 72-69.
John Lloyd Clemente banged in 15 points for Bulldogs, to go with a rebound and two assists, while Jake Figueroa backed him up with 13 markers, nine boards, and two dimes.
Patrick Yu and Michael Malonzo also had 13 and 10 points, respectively for NU.
“It’s a good win for us but still marami pa kaming kailangan trabahuhin,” Bulldogs tactician Jeff Napa said. “Bukas back to drawing board, we will review kung ano iyong mga lapses talaga namin.”
NU enjoyed a 44-32 advantage at the half, but the Red Warriors briefly took the driver’s seat on a Gani Stevens layup with 28.0 seconds left in the third quarter before the Bulldogs held a 53-52 edge going into the fourth period.
Kyle Paranda scored 17 points and pulled down three caroms for UE, which absorbed its 15th straight loss dating back to last season, while Luis Villegas contributed 15 markers.
The Eagles trailed 30-36 at the half but charged back and grabbed the driver’s seat 55-50 heading into the final period.
Padrigao and Andrade combined in a 14-5 blitz that gave Ateneo a 69-55 spread at the 6:07 mark of the fourth.
A Patrick Sleat driving layup pulled the Tams to within 70-7 but that proved to be FEU’s most noteworthy stand.
Padriago boomed in a backbreaking triple that sealed the win for the Eagles, only 38.5 ticks left.
