Ange Kouame delivered in the crunch and Ateneo survived University of Santo Tomas’ spirited challenge, 71-70, on Wednesday to remain unscathed in UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-10 Ivorian center scattered nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter including a putback in the last 2:53 that gave the Eagles a 68-67 lead en route to their third straight victory in as many games.
He also collared 10 rebounds and had three blocks that underscored his status as one of the league’s established stars.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin was delighted they came out victorious in a game that lived up to the hype – fast and furious.
“The game could have gone either way, and it’s fortunate that we won,” said Baldwin, who put on the necessary defensive stops in the second half to slow down the Tigers.
A unsportsmanlike foul on UST’s CJ Cansino in the last 14.3 ticks also helped Ateneo a lot.
Meanwhile, Kurt Lojera knocked down a clutch jumper with 14 ticks left as La Salle squeaked past National University, 83-82, for its first win in two outings.
The Archers squandered a 14-point lead late in the fourth before Lojera stepped up and handed the Bulldogs their second straight loss.
Thirdy Ravena and Matt Nieto made three of the four charities for a 71-67 lead – enough to cushion Renzo Subido’s buzzer-beating triple.
The game was highlighted by eight deadlocks and 14 lead changes with the Tigers looking to add Ateneo to its growing list of victims after taking a 67-63 lead.
Ravena anchored Ateneo with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Mamuyac chipped in 10 points and four boards.
Kouame’s fourth-quarter assault overshadowed the overall efforts of Soulemane Chabi Yo, who erupted for 25 points and hauled 13 boards for UST.
Rhenz Abando, Mark Nonoy and Subido finished with nine points each in a losing cause.
Ateneo had five of its 10 triples in the first quarter and converted UST’s 19 turnovers into to 23 points. The Eagles also had16 fastbreak points. (Kristel Satumbaga)
First Game
ATENEO 71 — Ravena 17, Kouame 11, Mamuyac 10, Navarro 8, Belangel 6, Maagdenberg 6, Ma. Nieto 5, Go 3, Wong 3, Mi. Nieto 2, Andrade 0, Daves 0, Tio 0.
UST 70 — Chabi Yo 25, Abando 9, Nonoy 9, Subido 9, Huang 6, Cansino 4, Concepcion 4, Ando 2, Paraiso 2, Bataller 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 33-37, 53-56, 71-70.