Ateneo annihilates Indonesian collegiate team by 86 points to start their campaign in the World University Basketball Series in Tokyo
Ateneo Blue Eagles hardly missed a step in the off-season as they demolished Universitas Pelita Harapan of Indonesia by 86 points, 125-39, in their opening game in the World University Basketball Series on Tuesday at Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Newly recruited Kai Ballungay and rookie Paul Garcia both had stunning debuts as Ballungay posted 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Garcia connected with three treys for a team-high 17 points.
The 86-point rout was delivered by Ateneo without the service of the seniors as naturalized player Ange Koume and Dave Ildefonso were sidelined as they are still nursing their own injuries.
Seven players in total scored in double figures, including Forthsky Padrigao who produced14 points, six assists, four boards, and four steals, Chris Koon making three triples for his 14 points and five rebounds and Gilas player Geo Chiu posting 10 points and 17 rebounds.
Joseph Obasa and JC Fetalvero also had stellar debuts with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, and 11 points, respectively.
Ateneo alsodominated the boards, 53 to 24, and shooting 16-of-34 from deep and scoring 60-percent from the field on 28 assists to make light work of the team from Indonesia.
The Indonesians were limited to just 13 points in the opening quarter and then managed to score 26 points for the rest of the game with Ateneo’s suffocating defense.
Ateneo aims to keep its record unblemished going on Wednesday, August 10, with a 6:45 pm (Manila time) game against Taiwan’s National Chengchi University (NCCU), before they face the home team of Japan.
Japan is represented by Tokai University that finished runner-up in the All-Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship and won the Kanagawa Prefecture Basketball Championship last season.
While Taiwan’s National Chengchi U is the back-to-back champion of University Basketball Association and Universitas Pelita Harapan reigned in Indonesia’s Liga Mahasiswa in 2021.
Tags: #ADMU, #basketball, #Japan