By NIKOLE JAVIER
Forthsky Padrigao shone brightest as Ateneo defeated Far Eastern University, 79-70, to start its drive for glory in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Padrigao tallied 19 points and seven assists while Bj Andrade and Sean Ildefonso added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, for an Ateneo side determined to regain its crown which its lost to University of the Philippines in a titanic duel last season.
“Scrappy (win), for sure, which is nothing new. I think that’s a standard line for most coaches. We got the typical FEU fight. They beat us to the ball, a lot of loose balls, a lot of rebounds, they outhustled us,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
“I think fourth quarter, we found some reserves and I mean, energy reserves. We started getting balls, we started betting the rebounds,” he added.
After a troubled second quarter, Ateneo rediscovered its offensive rhythm with Padrigao and Andrade conniving to keep the Tamaraws at bay, 69-56.
The win enabled Ateneo to tie opening day winners defending champion UP, University of Santo Tomas and National University.
Earlier, NU slipped past University of the East, 77-70.
John Lloyd Clemente took charge for the Bulldogs by tallying 15 points while John Figueroa and Wilson Yu added 13 points apiece and Michael Malonzo added 10 markers.
After a sluggish third period, the Bulldogs got back to work in the final frame to secure their first win of the season against the Red Warriors who remained winless since 2019.
UE found a ray of hope in that same quarter when they took the lead, 50-49, via a vicious 20-7 run capped by Jalen Stevens’ triple.
Unfortunately for the Red Warriors, there was no stopping Clemente who made another basket to retake the lead before heading into the payoff period.
The scores:
First Game
NU 77 ‒ Clemente 15, Figueroa 13, Yu 13, Malonzo 10, Manansala 9, Baclaan 8, John 5, Minerva 3, Mahinay 1, Galinato 0, Padrones 0, Tibayan 0, Palacielo 0, Tulabut 0.
UE 70 ‒ K. Paranada 17, Villegas 15, Sawat 7, Stevens 6, N. Paranada 6, Antiporda 6, Payawal 5, Tulabut 4, Alcantara 2, Remogat 2, Pagsanjan 0, Guevarra 0, Abatayo 0, Lingo-Lingo 0.
Quarters: 24-11, 44-32, 53-52, 77-70.
Second Game
ATENEO 79 ‒ Padrigao 19, Andrade 15, Ildefonso 14, Kouame 12, Koon 11, Ballungay 3, Daves 2, Chiu 2, Lazaro 1, Gomez 0, Garcia 0, Quitevis 0.
FEU 70 ‒ Gonzales 19, Sleat 17, Sajonia 10, Anonuevo 9, Torres 5, Tchuente 3, Alforque 3, Tempra 2, Sandagon 2, Gravera 0, Celzo 0, Guibao 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 30-36, 55-50, 79-70.
