Blue Eagles are now sitting on a 9-0 record since the Season started, thanks to Bj Andrade who commandeered the blue and white squad with a team-high 19 points to end the first half of the game with an 18 points lead.

Nevertheless, the Red Warriors were able to come close with a 10 points deficit with Josh Lazaro’s buzzer-beater shot 54-44 but ended the third frame at 56-44.

“Second quarter we were really good defensively. But UE with coach Jamike (Jarin), they try to make the game a little bit confusing with changing defense,” coach Tab explained.

“I don’t think we handled that particularly well but we did enough to get the win. I’m not really happy with the efficiency of our offense in the second half.”

Nico Paranada, Clint Escamis, and Harvey Pagsanjan tried to solidify the Red Warriors with their twin-digit performance but that was not enough to tame the Blue Eagles as top MVP candidate Ange Kouame finished with a big 14-point to help Bj inside the court.

Sj Belangel also contributed 13 points that helped Ateneo to cap the 76-63 lead.

“We did enough to win but we’re not happy with the efficiency of our offense,” coach Tab shared.

The Scores:

Ateneo 76 – Andrade 19, Kouame 15, Belangel 13, Verano 6, Ildefonso 5, Lazaro 4, Chiu 4, Koon 3, Mamuyac 3, Tio 3, Padrigao 2, Mendoza 0, Daves 0, Gomez 0.

UE 63 – N. Paranada 18, Escamis 13, Pagsanjan 11, K. Paranada 7, Lorenzana 5, J. Cruz 3, Beltran 2, Tulabut 2, Sawat 2, Villanueva 0, Guevarra 0, Abatayo 0, P. Cruz 0, Antiporda 0.