Ateneo bounces back with lopsided victory over UST
By NIKOLE JAVIER
Forthsky Padrigao made up for his dismal shooting to help Ateneo bounce back with a 79-52 victory over University of Santo Tomas Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Padrigao tallied 20 points on top of his eight assists and five steals while Kai Ballungay added 10 points to vent their ire on the Growling Tigers and pick up their third win after coming off a tough loss against De La Salle last Oct. 9.
The Blue Eagles found themselves unable to get the Growling Tigers out of sight at the half, 33-32.
Ildefonso also posted 10 points apart from nine boards which included back-to-back triples in the third frame to give Ateneo its first double-digit lead of the match, 51-38.
The Growling Tigers, who once closed the gap on the Blue Eagles at the half, were left with a huge void at the paint with Adama Faye fouling out after contact with Geo Chiu with 3:11 left in the third.
As if the pent-up frustration has not subsided yet, Ateneo continued its assault after Chris Koon beat the buzzer with another triple before Padrigao went for back-to-back fastbreak opportunities, 73-46.
With enough cushion to separate itself from the helpless UST, Ateneo fielded its second stringers in the fourth period who, in turn, did not disappoint and sealed the lopsided victory.
“I think, sort of the halftime summed it up. And the halftime was a non-event, really. Usually, I’d like to think as a coach you go in and create miracles at the halftime. But the fact of the matter was our defense wasn’t bad the first half and they hit some tough shots,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
Nic Cabanero paced UST with 12 points while Ivan Lazarte added 11 points and settled for three straight losses.
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 — Cabanero 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.
Quarters: 18-14, 33-32, 57-43, 79-52.