ATENEO cruised to a lopsided 88-50 win over University of Sydney to open its 2023 World University Basketball Series (WUBS) title defense on a high at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Japan on Friday.
READ: Ateneo nips Japan U-22 selection in tuneup ahead of WUBS title defense
The victory sent the Blue Eagles straight to the knockout semifinal against Japan's Hakuoh University in less than a day's time.
The reigning champions wasted no time imposing their will with a 7-0 start, led by five quick points from Jason Credo.
From there, the Blue Eagles' lead rapidly ballooned to 20 points behind consistent shooting against a slow-paced Aussie side.
The Katipunan-based side put the game away with 21-9 run in the third frame.
Formidable opposition awaits the reigning UAAP champions as the young Oyama-based Hakuoh squad thrashed Indonesia's Perbanas Institute by 48 points in the tournament opener.
After three impressive quarters for Ateneo, Gilas standout Mason Amos already had 15 markers to lead his team on offense.
Kai Ballungay (13 points) and Credo (10 points) provided back-up while Geo Chiu, who did not feature in Ateneo's 80-79 tuneup game win over Japan's U-22 side on Friday, added six points in three quarters.
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