Ateneo stays perfect

REY Suerte (no. 4) powers University of the East to its first victory. (DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG)

Ateneo de Manila University stretched its unbeaten start to four games after walloping Far Eastern University, 63-46, in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ivorian center Angelo Kouame once again led the defending champions with 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks while Adrian Wong and last year’s Finals Most Valuable Player Thirdy Ravena chipped in 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

“From the looks of it, we have better defense as a team because we can’t throw the ball in the ocean right now. Our shooting was a concern, fortunately, Adrian (Wong) came alive in the second half,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said.

“What we are trying to do with our defense is to keep the other team’s offense off-balance. Tonight, we were able to do that pretty well,” he added.

Ateneo started the game with an 11-0 blast and held the Tamaraws to just 15 points in the first 20 minutes to set the tone.

No Tamaraw managed to hit double figures in scoring as Barkley Ebona and Xyrus Torres each had eight points for the Morayta-based squad, which dropped to 1-2.