Ateneo de Manila University rode on a third quarter uprising to turn a tight first half into an emphatic, 68-54, rout of archrival De La Salle University to boost its semis hopes in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Dave Ildefonso led four other Blue Eagles in double-figure scoring as Ateneo solidified its hold of the solo third spot with a 6-3 win-loss record.
The Blue Eagles' revenge win over their first round tormentor also handed league-leading defending champion University of the Philippines (9-1) the first Final Four seat.
Ateneo broke a 29-29 deadlock at halftime by locking down on defense that created an opening for the Blue Eagles to pull away, outscoring La Salle, 27-10, in the third quarter.
"I think the third quarter was very telling. We played good defense that turned to easy baskets that created the separation," Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said. "That third quarter was very decisive."
Ildefonso scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and added three steals and two assists for Ateneo, which built a 22-point lead that was enough to weather the late uprising of the Green Archers.
Forthsky Padrigao finished with 11 points while Bryson Ballungay, Chris Koon and Ange Kouame posted the same markers for the Blue Eagles, who had 16 points off La Salle's 20 turnovers.
Kouame was also active on the defensive end with 14 rebounds, five blocks and three kills.
The Green Archers absorbed its fourth straight defeat for a 3-6 card.
Evan Nelle scored 15 points and had seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in his return from a one-game ban for La Salle.
Bright Nwankwo finished with seven markers and 11 boards while Kevin Quiambao had a quiet six points in 2-of8 field goal shooting.
The Scores:
ATENEO (68) — Ildefonso 12, Kouame 11, Ballungay 11, Koon 11, Padrigao 11, Andrade 8, Gomez 2, Chiu 2, Lazaro 0.
LA SALLE (54) — Nelle 15, Nwankwo 7, Quiambao 6, Nonoy 6, Austria 5, Estacio 5, Manuel 4, M. Phillips 3, Abadam 2, Macalalag 1.
Quarters: 10-16, 29-29, 56-39, 68-54.