Tyler Tio caught fire anew as Ateneo completed its first round elimination sweep after cruising past University of Santo Tomas, 91-80, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, April 9.
The sharpshooter fired 20 points built on his four triples, missing only once from beyond the arc, to go with three assists as the Blue Eagles earned their 33rd straight win since October 2018 against their Season 82 Finals rivals.
Entering the payoff period, Ateneo maintained its pace and reinforced its offensive run to build another 16-point cushion, 74-58, before UST tried to exchange baskets but still fell short in the end.
“UST has always been like that,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. "We gave up 80 points. That’s a little bit too much for us. We’re happy we came out with a win."
The Tigers, behind the efforts of Sherwin Concepcion and Joshua Fontanilla, did not waver midway through the third quarter after delivering a 9-0 run to pump life for the España-based squad and put the game within striking distance with a seven-point lead, 50-43.
But Tio spoiled the party right away after scoring 13 points in the next half and continued to wax hot for the Blue Eagles.
Bryan Andrade contributed 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds while Chris Kon and SJ Belangel added nine points apiece.
Concepcion paced the Tigers, who slipped to its third straight loss at 2-5, with 22 points on a 6-of-14 shooting from the three-point line along with seven rebounds.
The Scores:
ATENEO 91 -- Tio 20, Andrade 10, Koon 9, Belangel 9, Kouame 8, Mamuyac 8, Ildefonso 6, Daves 6, Lazaro 4, Gomez 3, Chiu 3, Padrigao 3, Verano 2, Mallillin 0, Mendoza 0.
UST 80 -- Concepcion 22, Manalang 10, Fontanilla 9, Cabanero 9, Santos 9, M. Pangilinan 8, Mantua 5, Manaytay 3, Gomez de Liano 3, Ando 2, Samudio 0.
Quarter scores: 27-19, 50-34, 74-58, 91-80.