By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno – PNA
MANILA — The Ateneo Blue Eagles are the kings of Katipunan!
Ateneo successfully retained the UAAP men’s basketball championship after blasting the University of the Philippines, 99-81, in Game 2 of the finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Led by a 38-point bomb from Thirdy Ravena and a 20-20 game from Ange Kouame, the Eagles successfully held fort against the Fighting Maroons following a 17-5 run to end the first quarter en route to the rout that completed a 2-0 sweep of the best-of-three series.
Aside from his career-high in scoring, Ravena, who was also adjudged the Finals Most Valuable Player, also had five rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Kouame actually finished with 22 points, 21 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Juan Gomez de Liaño made 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block to lead UP.
Paul Desiderio made 15 markers, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in his farewell game.
The scores:
Ateneo (99) — Ravena 38, Kouame 22, Verano 11, Tio 7, Nieto Ma. 6, Asistio 6, Belangel 6, Go 3, Nieto Mi. 0, Mamuyac 0, Mendoza 0, Andrade 0, Black 0, Wong 0, Daves 0, Navarro 0.
UP (81) — Gomez de Liaño Ju. 24, Akhuetie 19, Desiderio 15, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Dario 8, Lim 2, Vito 2, Manzo 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0, Spencer 0, Prado 0, Española 0, Longa 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 48-37, 70-56, 99-81.
