Ateneo Musters End-Game Composure Versus Resilient NU

Ateneo Musters End-Game Composure Versus Resilient NU

Ateneo had a precarious 67-64 3-point advantage with 2-1/2 minutes left in the game against the tough NU Bulldogs. The Blue Eagles summoned the heroics of Dave Ildefonso, Gian Mamuyac and Rafael Verano who combined for the 7-0 salvo that ended the game 74-64. Ange Kouame was in his usual reliable self leading the team with 12 points. 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 8 blocks - just missing a rare triple-double. In the first quarter, Koaume and SJ Belangel opened up the scoring for Ateneo while John Lloyd Clemente and Reyland Torres produced the points for NU. Ateneo leads NU 20-14 in the first quarter. The second unit carried the teams in the second quarter, with Tyler Tio, Geo Chiu and Jose Mendoza chipping in for Ateneo while Mike Malonzo, Patrick Yu and Ernest Felicilda contributes for NU. The speed picked up a notch in this highly-competitve match-up, Ateneo still leads 41-33 at the end of two quarters. In the third quarter Koaume and Tio continued the Ateneo onslaught while Clemente and Torres keep plugging away for NU. It was 58-50 for Ateneo going to the 4th quarter. Suddenly NU rallied behind their press defense to come within 60-59 and at 63-61, the Bulldogs were on the crest of 9-3 run. Ateneo answered scoring 4 straight points to make it 67-61 time 4 minutes left in the game. Torres hits a 3-pointer to make it 67-64 however Ateneo had a final push to win the game. Ildefonso paced Ateneo with 14 points, Koaume 12, Belangel 11 and Tio 8. Torres was the high-point man for NU with 14 points, Clemente 12 and Felicilda 10.