By NIKOLE JAVIER
Kai Ballungay finished with a career-high 21 points to help Ateneo bounce back in a dominant fashion against Adamson, 76-55, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Blue Eagles, who are coming off a bitter 76-71 defeat against defending champion University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Oct. 16, put up a huge assault at the half to improve to 4-2.
Ballungay went 8-of-10 from the field including three triples while Dave Ildefonso posted 15 markers in their third-quarter surge.
The Blue Eagles saw themselves pull away for good as Ballungay and Ildefonso unwrapped the third frame with back-to-back triples to create a big cushion from the Soaring Falcons.
At the receiving end of the assault, Adamson saw its deficit balloon to 21, 68-47, in the fourth period where Ballungay pulled up for two more baskets which were enough for Ateneo to seal the win for good.
"Very happy to get back on the right side of the win-loss column in this game after the tough UP loss. It’s good to see better execution in the game for us, and better attention to detail on defense, and I think that the result justifies the work that we did during the game," said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
Adamson, which dropped to a 3-3 card, was paced by Jerom Lastimosa, the lone bright spot for the team with 18 points.
The Scores:
ATENEO 76 -- Ballungay 21, Ildefonso 15, Gomez 8, Chiu 7, Padrigao 5, Lazaro 5, Kouame 4, Andrade 4, Garcia 3, Koon 3, Daves 2, Ong 2, Quitevis 0, Fetalvero 0, Fornilos 0, Lao 0.
ADAMSON 55 -- Lastimosa 18, Douanga 8, Torres 6, Manzano 5, Flowers 4, Jaymalin 3, Fuentebella 3, Yerro 2, Barasi 2, Barcelona 2, W. Magbuhos 2, V. Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0.
Quarters: 22-16, 41-32, 61-47, 76-55.