UAAP Finals 2018:

Ateneo overpowers UP Maroons, bags Season 81 plum

December 5, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2018: Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1
The Ateneo Blue Eagles Logo

UAAP Finals 2018 News: Ateneo Blue Eagles overpowered the UP Maroons, 99-81 to bag the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball championship title this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Thirdy Ravena wowed the 23,741 Araneta crowd with an unbelievable 38 points output combined with 6 boards and 6 dimes total. Import Angelo Kouame also registered a double-double of 22 points and 22 caroms for the two-time champions Ateneo.

Ateneo is now a two-time UAAP titlist under the reins of Coach Tab Baldwin, the last time the Blue Eagles won a string of UAAP championships was in 2012 under Coach Norman Black.

➤ There was a brief halt to the game tip-off as the Blue Eagles protested the steel brace which Bright Akhuetie wore in his left knee. The brace was eventually removed and the game commenced with Akhuetie not wearing the knee protector.

Gomez De Liaño led the defeated Maroons with 24 points and 7 rebounds, while reinforcement Akhuetie chipped-in 19 points and 8 caroms. Clutch operator Paul Desiderio also made 15 buckets and 7 rebounds.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 25-13, 48-37, 70-56, 99-81.

ateneo: 99

Ravena 38, Kouame 22, Verano 11, Tio 7, Belangel 6, Nieto Ma. 6, Asistio 6, Go 3, Wong 0, Mendoza 0, Andrade 0, Black 0, Nieto Mi. 0, Daves 0, Mamuyac 0, Navarro 0.

up: 81

Gomez de Liaño Ju. 24, Akhuetie 19, Desiderio 15, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Dario 8, Vito 2, Lim 2, Española 0, Prado 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0, Manzo 0, Spencer 0, Longa 0.

Posted on December 5, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Finals 2018:

Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1

December 1, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2018: Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1
The Ateneo Blue Eagles Logo

UAAP Finals News 2018: Ateneo Blue Eagles halted the gritty UP Maroons, 88-79 to take Game 1 of their Finals showdown in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Matt Nieto paced the Blue Eagles with his 27 markers, while Thirdy Ravena had a triple-double of 21 buckets, 10 caroms and 9 dishes.

Notes:

➤ Tempers flared in the Arena after the collision of imports Angelo Kouame of Ateneo and UP’s Bright Akhuetie in the third quarter. Akhuetie was taken out of the court due to a possible leg injury but surprisingly returned with seven minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Akhuetie helped the University of the Philippines with two free-throws converted, to trail Ateneo with only three points, 68-71. However, the Blue Eagles stepped on the offensive to secure Game 1 in the battle of the Katipunan.

Jun Manzo powered the defeated Maroons with 19 points and 4 rebounds, while star Juan Gomez de Liaño finished with 17 buckets and 8 caroms. Meanwhile, clutch operator Paul Desiderio was limited to just 5 points all game.

UP and Ateneo will resume their Finals tiff on Wednesday, December 5 for Game 2.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-18, 39-38, 63-61, 88-79.

ateneo: 88

Nieto Ma. 27, Ravena 21, Kouame 7, Tio 6, Verano 6, Mamuyac 5, Nieto Mi. 4, Asistio 4, Mendoza 3, Wong 3, Go 2, Navarro 0.

up: 79

Manzo 19, Gomez de Liaño Ju. 17, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Akhuetie 10, Dario 9, Desiderio 5, Vito 3, Tungcab 3, Prado 2, Gozum 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0.

Posted on December 2, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

Ateneo Blue Eagles smites NU Bulldogs, 72-46

September 22, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP News 2018: Ateneo Blue Eagles flattened the NU Bulldogs, 72-46, this Saturday in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Basketball at the Araneta Coliseum. Eagles spitfire Thirdy Ravena led with his 13 points and 4 boards.

Notes:

Enzo Joson was the lone double-digit scorer for the Bulldogs as he dropped 11 markers for the hapless National University.

➤ NU star Dave Ildefonso was limited to only 4 points, despite averaging 17 points a game.

Ateneo is now at 2-1 slate after losing their opening game to Adamson, NU fell to 1-2.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 11-9, 33-18, 49-30, 72-46.

ateneo: 72

Ravena 13, Asistio 9, Nieto Mi. 7, Wong 7, Verano 6, Go 6, Black 6, Belangel 5, Kouame 5, Andrade 3, Nieto Ma. 2, Daves 2, Mamuyac 1, Mendoza 0, Navarro 0, Tio 0.

nu: 46

Joson 11, Tibayan 8, Clemente 7, Gallego 6, Ildefonso D. 4, Ildefonso S. 4, Malonzo 2, Rike 2, Galinato 2, Sinclair 0, Diputado 0, Morido 0, Aquino 0, Yu 0, Gaye 0, Salim 0.

Posted September 22, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

Adamson's stifling defense suffocates Ateneo, 74-70

September 9, 2018 – MOA Arena

UAAP News 2018: Adamson Falcons’ stifling defense suffocated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 74-70, to register their first victory in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 basketball this opening Sunday at the MOA Arena in Pasay. Ateneo had no answer to Adamson’s pressure defense, combined with the Falcons’ gang rebounding which proved too much for the Eagles to handle.

Notes:

Jerrick Ahanmisi showed his mettle, as he led with 23 points for Adamson, while Vince Magbuhos contributed 10 markers and 10 caroms. Reinforcement Papi Sarr also copped 8 points and 9 rebounds.

➤ Adamson’s length helped them dominate the rebounds department, with the Falcons hauling 52 boards – 16 of them offensive rebounds, compared to Ateneo’s 48 caroms. The Falcons also converted 15 points off turnovers as they stole the ball 8 times, credited to coach Franz Pumaren‘s signature trap defense.

Matt Nieto led the losing Blue Eagles with 21 points, while Raffy Verano added 10 buckets.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 18-20, 40-39, 55-51, 74-70.

adamson: 74

Ahanmisi 23, Magbuhos 10, Sarr 8, Catapusan 7, Espeleta 7, Lastimosa 6, Manganti 4, Mojica 3, Pingoy 3, Camacho 2, Colonia 1, Bernardo 0.

ateneo: 70

Nieto Ma. 21, Verano 10, Ravena 7, Asistio 7, Go 6, Navarro 5, Mendoza 5, Nieto Mi. 4, Black 4, Kouame 1, Belangel 0, Wong 0, Tio 0.

Posted on September 9, 2018 - MOA Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Jones Cup News:

Iran subdues Ateneo, 70-63

July 22, 2018 – Xinzhuang Gymnasium

Jones Cup News 2018: Iran NT subdued the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 70-63, and effectively ended the Blue Eagles heroic run in the 40th William Jones Cup 2018 this Sunday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei. Iranian three-point bomber Vahid Dalirzahan led the middle eastern juggernaut with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on 3-of-3 rainbow shooting, while Rasoul Mozafarivanani also chipped-in 16 buckets and 8 dishes for Iran.

Notes:

➤ ADMU stopped-short of making the Jones Cup podium as it dropped to a respectable 4th place finish.

➤ Matt Nieto led the eliminated Ateneo with 14 points and 3 assists, while Thirdy Ravena also dropped 12 markers and 3 caroms.

➤ Meanwhile, reinforcement Angelo Kouame contributed 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks for Ateneo.

➤Ateneo wrapped-up its Jones Cup campaign with a win-loss slate of 5-3.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 15-14, 31-39, 54-50, 70-63.

iran: 70

Dalirzahan 26, Mozafarivanani 16, Vand 9, Mohammad 8, Azari 4, Khandanpour 4, Pazrofteh 3, Sheikhi 0, Bahramzad 0, Monji 0.

ateneo: 63

Nieto, Ma. 14, Ravena 12, Kouame 11, Mamuyac 9, Go 9, Nieto, Mi. 6, Navarro 2, Asistio 0, Verano 0, Andrade 0, Black 0, Maagdenberg 0.

July 22, 2018 - Xinzhuang Gymnasium, Taipei

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Jones Cup 2018:

Canada escapes resurgent Ateneo, 86-78

July 17, 2018 – Xinzhuang Gymnasium

Jones Cup 2018 News: Canada escaped a resurgent Ateneo Blue Eagles 86-78, in the continuation of the 40th William Jones Cup 2018 this Tuesday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei. Shaquille Keith paced 3D Sports Global Sports Canada with his 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ateneo gave the Canadians a scare as they nearly upended 3D Sports by getting to within 6 points deficit with 59 ticks left in the ballgame.

Notes:

➤ ADMU is now down to a 1-2 slate after the loss to Canada. Global Sports meanwhile raced to 3-0 in the win-loss column.

➤ Matt Nieto lifted the losing Blue Eagles with 18 markers, while Thirdy Ravena added 12 buckets and 6 caroms.

Reinforcement Angelo Kouame failed to register stellar numbers as he dropped a forgettable 4 points the entire game for ADMU.

➤ Ateneo will next face Japan this Wednesday in the continuation of 40th William Jones Cup.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 35-14; 51-27; 68-54; 86-78.

CANADA: 86

Keith 18, Wood 16, Thomas 14, Kyser 12, Stutz 10, Post 9, Campbell 7, Gyamfi 0.

ATENEO: 78

Nieto, Ma. 18, Ravena 12, Wong 11, Nieto, Mi. 10, Go 8, Black 5, Navarro 4, Kouame 4, Andrade 3, Tio 2, Asistio 1, Maagdenberg 0.

July 17, 2018 - Xinzhuang Gymnasium, Taipei

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Jones Cup 2018:

South Korea slashes Ateneo, 90-73

July 16, 2018 – Xinzhuang Gymnasium

Jones Cup 2018 News: South Korea slashed Ateneo, 90-73, and derailed the UAAP champions with a lone loss in the 40th William Jones Cup 2018 this Monday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei. Ricardo Ratcliffe and Heo Ilyoung led the Koreans with 15 points apiece.

Notes:

Ateneo wounded-up with 1-1 record in Taipei.

Thirdy Ravena led the losing Pinoys with 14 buckets, 5 steals, 4 assists and 4 boards, while Matt Nieto managed with 12 markers. Reinforcement Angelo Kouame also dropped 10 points and 16 caroms for the Philippine representatives to the Jones Cup.

Ratcliffe sat-out the entire second half even after scoring 15 points for Korea at the half.
Korea bullied the Filipinos from the rainbow stripe with 10 of 18 three-point bombs made, while ADMU missed 22 of 27 treys.

➤ The Blue Eagles will next face the national team of Canada on Tuesday.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-22, 50-41, 70-60, 90-73.

south korea: 90

Ratliffe 15, Heo I 15, Heo U 12, Lee J 9, Heo H 6, Kang 6, Jeon 6, Kim J 6, Park 5, Choi 4, Lee S 4, Kim S 2.

ateneo: 73

Ravena 14, Nieto 12, Kouame 10, Wong 9, Verano 5, Mendoza 5, Go 5, Navarro 5, Maagdenberg 3, White 3, Mamuyac 2, Andrade 0.

July 16, 2018 - Xinzhuang Gymnasium, Taipei

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Jones Cup 2018:

Ateneo routs Chinese Taipei White, 87-64

July 15, 2018 – Xinzhuang Gymnasium

Jones Cup 2018: Ateneo Blue Eagles routed Chinese Taipei White, 87-64, in the 40th William Jones Cup Basketball 2018 this Sunday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei. Representing the national team, Ateneo pounced on Taipei early and never looked back. Eagles main cog Thirdy Ravena led ADMU with his 17 markers, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Reinforcement Angelo Kouame meanwhile contributed 15 markers and 18 boards.

Notes:

The Filipino-Taiwanese court face-off was the Jones Cup debut game for both squads, with the Pinoys getting the first blood.

➤ Oscar Kao lifted the losing Taiwan-White with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals while Lin Chun-Chi added 15 buckets and 5 caroms.

➤ The Blue Eagles led by as much as 25 points in the fourth quarter, 85-60.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-20, 48-33, 67-52, 87-64.

ateneo: 87

Ravena 17, Kouame 15, Mendoza 11, Go 10, Nieto, Ma. 8, Verano 8, Mamuyac 4, Tio 4, Asistio 3, Nieto, Mi. 3, Black 2, Navarro 2.

taipei white: 64

Kao 16, Chun-Chi 15, Ting-Chien 12, Chen 8, Yu-Jui 7, Po-Chih 3, Wu 2, You-Che 1, Ting-En 0, Wei-Ting 0, Ssu-Yao 0, Cheng-Sun 0.

July 15, 2018 - Xinzhuang Gymnasium, Taipei

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Filoil Flying V
Preseason Cup News:

Ateneo cracks San Beda, 76-62

June 30, 2018 – Filoil Flying V Centre

Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Finals 2018: Ateneo Blue Eagles dethroned the San Beda Red Lions, 76-62, to nail the championship trophy in the 12th Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Finals 2018 this Saturday at MOA Arena in Pasay. Reinforcement and Filoil MVP Angelo Kouame starred for the Blue Eagles with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Notes:

  • Javee Mocon led the defeated Red Lions with 14 buckets and 12 caroms, while Donald Tankoua made 13 markers and 5 boards.
  • San Beda was the reigning 2017 Filoil Preseason champion.
  • Ateneo ace Thirdy Ravena made only 7 points the entire game.
  • The eliminations sweep and subsequent championship victory of Ateneo follows the pattern that San Beda laid during 2017 and De La Salle in 2016.
  • San Beda star player Robert Bolick was limited to only 10 points and did not return in the second half due to an apparent ankle injury.
Game Scores:
Quarters: 19-15, 45-26, 56-42, 76-62.

ateneo: 76

Kouame 15, Mendoza 9, Verano 9, Ravena 7, Belangel 7, Nieto Mi 6, Asistio 6, Go 6, Mamuyac 5, Navarro 3, Maagdenberg 3, Nieto Ma 0, Tio 0, Wong 0, Black 0, Andrade 0.

san beda: 62

Mocon 14, Tankoua 13, Abuda 9, Canlas 7, Doliguez 6, Nelle 5, Cabanag 4, Oftana 2, Carino 2, Tongco 0, Bolick 0, Eugene 0, Cuntapay 0, Burri 0.

June 30, 2018 - Filoil Flying V Centre

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Finals 2017

Ateneo eclipses La Salle, 88-86, grabs championship

December 3 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP Finals 2017: Ateneo Blue Eagles wrested the crown from defending champion La Salle Green Archers, 88-86, in UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Isaac Go‘s clutch play with 24.7 seconds left in the game sealed the win for the Blue Eagles. Thirdy Ravena ably steered Ateneo with 17 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals, and earned him the Finals MVP award.

Notes:

Matt Nieto also contributed 14 markers for ADMU as he made 6 of 6 in three point shooting, while Chibueze Ikeh registered a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

UAAP MVP Ben Mbala led the losing DLSU Archers with his own double-double of 19 buckets and 14 boards, while Aljun Melecio, Ricci Rivero and Andrei Caracut dropped 16, 14 and 13 points apiece respectively.

It was a bitter sweet victory for Ateneo who finally bagged the UAAP crown after five years. The last time the Blue Eagles won in the Finals was when they recorded a historic five peat championship reign in the UAAP Men’s basketball.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 24-14, 45-38, 66-66, 88-86.

ateneo: 88

Ravena 17, Matt Nieto 14, Ikeh 12, Asistio 11, Tolentino 9, Go 7, Verano 6, Mendoza 5, Black 4, Mamuyac 3, Mike Nieto 0.

LA SALLE: 86

Mbala 19, Melecio 16, Ricci Rivero 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 11, Tratter 4, Go 3, Montalbo 3, Prince Rivero 2, Tero 1, Baltazar 0.

December 03, 2017 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan

 up