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University of the East, like there previous 1st round encounter, took a while than usual to enjoy a 73-68 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles and claim its 8th win in eight games in the continuation of the UAAP season 70 at the Araneta Coliseum last August 12.

The Red Warriors are still on top of the standings with an 8-0 record, enjoying a three-game advantage over FEU and La Salle.

Four red shirts had double digit markers. Mark Borboran topped the tally sheet with 16 points while Elmer Espiritu listed 15 points including three 3-pointers. Paul Lee and Marcy Arellano bagged 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Ford Arao and Chris Tiu made a combined 25 points to lead the Blue Eagles scoreboard.

The Red Warriors, which enjoyed more than 15-point leads in its previous games went under obscurity but still managed to find composure down the stretch.

“We had difficulty inside the post. They had big men who were really tall and had wide bodies,� noted Coach Dindo Pumaren after the game.

Ateneo made two three-pointers at the start of the first period. But the Blue Eagles could not sustain the lead as the first quarter ended 18-14 in favor of UE.

However in the second quarter, things started to heat up for the blue shirts as Ateneo ignited a 15-0 run and establish a 9-point lead, 29-20, with 4:48 minutes to play.

Elmer Espiritu’s hot hands converted three three-point baskets to cut the lead to three. The first half ended with the Warriors trailing behind Ateneo, 38-35.

In the third quarter, Ateneo’s big men took charge of the game. Arao, Siverino Baclao, Rabeth Al-Husaini and Ken Barracoso led the scoring for the Eagles.

UE still led with 57.3 seconds left to play until Jai Reyes and Tiu made back to back 18-footers to give Ateneo back the lead, 59-55.

In the fourth quarter, the Red Warriors sparked a vital 6-0 run with 8:10 minutes that gave UE a four-point lead, 65-61. Ford Arao failed to complete a three-point play but his Field Goal still tallied a 69-66 UE lead. Both teams looked for baskets in the final four minutes but could not find any until Marcy Arellano converted on a jumper with only 1:06 left to play in regulation.

Paul Lee fouled Tiu from the three point arc but the Ateneo Combo Guard could only nail 2 of 3 baskets from the stripe. Lee’s 2/2 FTs sealed the win for the Red Warriors.

Coach Dindo Pumaren is proud of his players and added, “We cannot win in scoring against other teams. We are no. 1 in offense because of our defense�.

UE - 73

Borboran 16, Espiritu 15, Lee 12, Arellano 10, Gregorio 9, Canizares 4, Martinez 3, Fampulme 2, Thiele 2, Lingganay 0, Llgas 0

ADMU - 68

Arao 14, Tiu 11, Baclao 9, Salamat 8, Al-Husseini 7, Barracoso 6, Reyes 5, Nkemakolam 4, Long 2, Laterre 2, Monfort 0

Quarter Scores: 18-14, 35-38, 55-59, 73-68

Deadlocks 8, Leadchanges 13

Tags: News

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