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Ateneo beats La Salle in rivalry game thriller

by Bryan Gadingan

THE Ateneo de Manila University defeated archrival De La Salle University, 77-72, to earn its first win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

This is the Blue Eagles’ ninth victory over the Green Archers in the previous ten Ateneo-La Salle rivalry games, dating back to 2017.

Ateneo’s Kai Ballungay and Chris Koon were aggressive at the opening of the game, allowing the Blue Eagles to establish an early 11-3 lead.

In comparison to their previous game, the Blue Eagles were able to attack the paint and rotate the ball more effectively early on, and they got off to a fast start.

For the entirety of the game, the competing schools traded leads. The Green Archers took the lead in the second quarter thanks to strong defensive stops.

Photo Courtesy: Ryan Baldemor

Chris Koon finished the first half with 14 points on 3-of-5 shooting from outside the arc. DLSU’s Earl Abadam had 8 points.

The Green Archers finished the third quarter strong, making defensive stop after defensive stop to take a 54-47 lead.

Ateneo rallied in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, with Amos hitting eight straight major points, including back-to-back triples, for a 70-64 lead with 2:07 remaining.

Photo Courtesy: Ryan Baldemor

A huge Ballungay slam followed by a Jared Brown bucket sealed the game, 74-67, with less than a minute remaining, giving the Blue Eagles their first win after losing their first game on Saturday.

After being disappointed in their previous game against the NU Bulldogs, Ateneo Head Coach Tab Baldwin stated that the team was able to find more fight in them in last night’s game.

“It’s a great rivalry game between two proud universities, and obviously, we’re delighted we won that. Most importantly, I think we found some fight. It was lacking last game and to find it is very rewarding,” stated the famed tactician. 

Despite the victory, Baldwin believes there is still room for improvement. “However, the quality of performance needs to be better, but I think it will get better. This is a tough game to try and go out and be efficient when you have the emotion and intensity of the opposition,” Baldwin remarked.

Ballungay finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds, 12 of which were offensive rebounds, while Chris Koon topped all scorers with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. 

Mason Amos, who made the clutch baskets down the stretch, added 12 more points for the Katipunan squad.

The Taft-based university, on the other hand, put up a great fight and is now preparing for their next match against the Growling Tigers on Saturday.

“We’re not gonna look back, I mean, we’re not gonna stay here. We’re just gonna keep on falling forward. What’s important for us is the opportunity to get back this coming Saturday,” said DLSU Head Coach Topex Robinson.

“Those lessons that was taught to us this evening humbles us. It’s just like how wins humbles us, also defeat humbles us,” he continued.

Kevin Quiambao of the Green Archers had a great game despite sitting for most of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth. KQ had a fantastic game against the Blue Eagles, finishing with 17 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.

Evan Nelle had 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, Earl Abadam had 11 points, and Nonoy added nine more for the squad.

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