By NIKOLE JAVIER
Ateneo slipped past Adamson, 66-61, to wrap up its elimination round campaign as the top seed in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kai Ballungay delivered a double-double performance of 18 points on top of 14 rebounds to help the Blue Eagles hold off the Final Four-seeking Soaring Falcons.
BJ Andrade and Ange Kouame added 13 and 12 points, respectively, to also tow Ateneo to the top spot for five straight seasons with an 11-3 record.
Ateneo had to hold off an 11-2 run by Adamson capped by a Cedrick Manzano layup and protect its one-point lead before Kouame fought hard inside the paint to extend the advantage by three.
Adamson had a couple of opportunities to tie the game but couldn’t knock any attempts from beyond the arc before Andrade was sent to the line and drained his two freebies to ice the game for Ateneo.
The Soaring Falcons, who finished at 7-7, will be facing the De La Salle Green Archers for a playoff to determine who will complete the Final Four cast on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The Scores:
ATENEO 66 -- Ballungay 18, Andrade 13, Kouame 12, Koon 7, Padrigao 6, Ildefonso 3, Gomez 3, Chiu 2, Lazaro 2, Garcia 0, Quitevis 0, Daves 0.
ADAMSON 61 -- Manlapaz 22, Lastimosa 10, Douanga 7, Hanapi 5, Flowers 5, Manzano 4, Yerro 4, Sabandal 2, V. Magbuhos 2, Colonia 0, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Barcelona 0, Torres 0, W. Magbuhos 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 33-27, 49-41, 66-61