MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Ateneo Blue Eagles repeated their earlier victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 71-59, on Saturday, October 14 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

The blue birds of the league went head-to-head in a defensive affair in the first half, but the Blue Eagles broke free in the second half to end Adamson’s 4-game winning streak. 

The game tipped off to a neck-and-neck battle early in the first period until the Blue Eagles emerged with a 10-2 run that was capped off by a Tyler to triple. 

Although the Blue Eagles nabbed a 10-point lead via Isaac Go’s triple in the second period, the Falcons pressed the Katipunan-based squad to cut the deficit 5 points.

The Blue Eagles managed to break the Adamson press late in the second quarter to pull away from the Falcons and maintain the lead. 

As the scoring ignited in the second half, the last two minute-mark of the game saw BJ Andrade make his first triple in the UAAP. Andrade’s shot from beyond the arc marked the Blue Eagles’ biggest lead at 21 points, but the Falcons limited the offense of the Blue Eagles with a 9-0 run close out. 

Thirdy Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Blue Eagles captain Vince Tolentino with 8 points and 6 rebounds. 

Papi Sarr topscored for the Adamson Falcons with 15 points and grabbed 9 boards, while Jerie Pingoy contributed 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. 

The Blue Eagles are still undefeated in the league at an 8-0 record, while the Soaring Falcons fall to a 5-3 record in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.

Scores

Ateneo (71) – Ravena 15, Tolentino 8, Go 8, Ikeh 7, Black 7, Nieto Mi 6, Asistio 4, Verano 3, Tio 3, Mendoza 3, Andrade 3, Nieto Ma 2, Porter 2, Mamuyac 0, Malillin 0, White 0.

AdU (59) – Sarr 15, Pingoy 9, Ahanmisi 6, Hill 6, Espeleta 5, Mustre 5, Manganti 4, Camacho 2, Lojera 2, Ochea 2, Zaldivar 2, Manalang 1, Bernardo 0, Chua 0, Paranada 0.

Quarter Scores: 16-10, 31-24, 54-41, 71-59

– Rappler.com