Ateneo topples UP, regains UAAP basketball crown

THE Battle of Katipunan is over.

Ateneo De Manila University have dethroned the University of the Philippines in the do-or-die game 3 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball Championship at the Araneta Coliseum Monday.

This is the fourth championship crown of the Loyola school in the last five UAAP seasons.

The UAAP Season 85 championship game’s final score: 75-68.

The Blue Eagles redeemed their dynasty title after its defeat from UP seven months ago.

Ivorian-Filipino center Ange Kouame lead the Blue Eagles flock with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and one assist. Rence Padrigao, on the other hand, tallied 12 points with three rebounds, three assists, and four blocks.

Meanwhile, the UP Fighting Maroons bore the absence of Zavier Lucero as he suffered a knee injury during game 2 of the finals. But James Spencer conquered the odds for the institution as he scored 14 points with two rebounds and one assist. Harold Alarcon garnered 12 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

After the endgame, the university athletics league hailed Kouame as the UAAP Season 85 finals’ most valuable player.

Team Scores:

ADMU: 75 – Kouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0.

UP: 68 – Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Lina 0.

Quarter scores:

First quarter: 30-14

Second Quarter: 47-32

Third Quarter: 60-52

Fourth Quarter:75-68 

Banner Photo Credit: UAAP; Inside web photos credit: Icecvisuals Instagram