Despite Ange Kouame being limited to only seven points, the Blue Eagle was still able to play their hearts out and finished the first quarter with a 21-18 lead.

Sj Belangel and Gian Mamuyac both commandeered the team with 15 points each that paved way to grab the lead a few times in the second frame but with an improved defense of the DLSU, ADMU found it hard to extend their advantage as they finished the first half, 35-32.

In the third quarter, Ateneo was finally able to outsmart La Salle’s defense despite DLSU’s Kurt Lojera’s 21 points, six rebounds, and two blocks and Evan Nelle’s 20 points, 3-of-9 shooting from deep.

The white-and-blue squad maintained their posture in the last quarter and showed mastery over La Salle as they ended the game with a 75-68 lead.

UAAP games will resume on Tuesday with La Salle facing the University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 12:30 pm followed by ADMU vs the University of the East (UE) in the afternoon at 4:30 pm.

The Scores: 

ATENEO 75 – Belangel 15, Mamuyac 15, Ildefonso 9, Andrade 9, Kouame 7, Tio 6, Verano 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 2, Lazaro 0, Mendoza 0. 

LA SALLE 68 – Lojera 21, Nelle 20, Winston 10, Baltazar 10, M. Phillips 3, Nonoy 3, Manuel 1, B. Phillips 0, Cuajao 0, Nwankwo 0.

 Quarters: 21-18, 35-32, 60-47, 75-68.