by Waylon Galvez
Games Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU
4 p.m. – FEU vs La Salle
Defending champion Ateneo moved a win away from earning an outright semifinal berth as it downed University of the East, 90-70, yesterday in the 81st UAAP men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In another stellar showing, rookie center Angelo Kouame of Ivory Coast had 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Tyler Tio finished with a career-best 16 points in leading Ateneo to another blowout win over the Warriors.
Raffy Verano and Jolo Mendoza added 14 and 10 points, respectively that typified Ateneo’s depth and improved firepower.
Ateneo’s win hiked its record to 8-2, and more importantly grabbed the solo lead.
Ateneo will try to secure a playoff berth when it clashes with National University on Saturday also at the Big Dome.
“We had a terrific first half both on offense and defense. Third quarter, UE came out with a lot of fire. But that’s the character they have,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “Good thing we had a good cushion. There’s still a lot of work to be done but we have are generally happy with the win,” he added.
In the second, Paul Desiderio exploded for a career high 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field, including 7-of-9 from three-point territory in a 95-82 UP win over Far Eastern University.
Nigerian rookie Bright Akhuitie finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Juan Gomez de Liaño added 19 as the Fighting Maroons tied the Tamaraws for fourth to fifth places with similar 5-5 cards.
FEU played sans Prince Orizu (sprained left ankle) and Arvin Tolentino, who served his second of a two-game suspension.
