Eagles claw Tamaraws to start redemption tour

MANILA, Philippines —Former three-time champion Ateneo bucked a feisty challenge by Far Eastern U, 79-70, and started its redemption tour on a high note in the UAAP Season 85 yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Embracing a leadership role after the departure of SJ Belangel, Forthsky Padrigao piled up 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals as four other Eagles hit twin digits for the Blue Eagles.

Dave Ildefonso and Ange Kouame collared 14-12 and 12-14 double-double performances while BJ Andrade and Chris Koon chipped in 15 and 11 markers, respectively.

“It’s a scrappy win for sure. It’s nothing new. I think that’s the standard line for most coaches but we got the typical FEU fight,” said coach Tab Baldwin.

“We had big players who made big shots, which is not really the formula that is sort of the one that I like. Nonetheless, it’s excellent to have players who have the toughness to take those shots. That’s the only thing that kept FEU from outworking us for that win,” he added.

Months after being dethroned and denied a four-peat championship by University of the Philippines, Ateneo started strong with a 24-16 lead only to bleed for only six markers in the second period.

The Blue Eagles allowed a 20-6 avalanche to trail 30-36 entering the second half, where they fortunately recovered in time to lead by as many as 14 behind the timely hits of sophomore guard Padrigao.

Earlier, National U eked out a 77-70 win and dragged University of the East to its 15th straight defeat dating back to a 0-14 campaign in Season 84.

John Lloyd Clemente, who captured the MVP award in NU’s Filoil EcoOil preseason championship, uncorked 15 markers as Jake Figueroa and Patrick Yu chipped in 13 points apiece.