Ateneo bounces back from tough loss to La Salle, vents ire on UST

Forthsky Padrigao fired a career-high to lead the Blue Eagles back to the win column. Dennis Acosta

By Dugout Philippines

PASAY—After a tough loss against rival De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University vented its ire on University of Santo Tomas, 79-52, in the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.

The Blue Eagles put up another third quarter storm, this time in a form of a 24-11 frame to turn a 33-32 close game into a 57-43 spread heading into the fourth.

Ateneo then pounced even more in the payoff period, outscoring UST by 11, and leading by as much as 29 in the match.

"The players felt not great at halftime but the coaching staff felt that it wasn't really that bad and if we stuck to the job, we have good players they're gonna hit good shots and in the second half, we finally started to hit shots," said Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

Forthsky Padrigao bounced back from his woeful 2-of-18 shooting night against La Salle with 20 points, eight assists, and five steals.

Dave Ildefonso chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Kai Ballungay got 10 points in the win as well.

The Blue Eagles' 27 made field goals all came from assists.  

Ateneo rose to 3-1 for solo second while the Growling Tigers, who lost Adama Faye with 3:11 left in the third quarter after fouling out, absorbed their third straight defeat to fall to 1-3.

Nic Cabañero had 12 points for UST, while Ivan Lazarte chalked up 11 points and five rebounds.

Up next for the Blue Eagles is a Finals rematch against University of the Philippines on Sunday, 4:30 pm. On the other hand, UST looks to get out of its three-game funk earlier that day against University of the East.

The Scores:

ATENEO 79 -- Padrigao 20, Ildefonso 10, Ballungay 10, Koon 7, Kouame 7, Chiu 5, Quitevis 5, Andrade 3, Gomez 3, Garcia 3, Fornilos 3, Lazaro 2, Daves 1, Fetalvero 0, Ong 0, Lao 0.

UST 52 -- Cabañero 12, Lazarte 11, Faye 8, Pangilinan 5, Manalang 5, Duremdes 5, Garing 4, Magdangal 2, Manaytay 0, Calimag 0, Laure 0, Mantua 0, Herrera 0, Escobido 0, Gesalem 0.

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