ATENEO went on a perfect 8-0 romp and snared the UAAP Season 81 3x3 men's title with a tough 19-13 victory over UST in the Finals Sunday at Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig.
Ange Kouame was spectacular in the championship game, firing 11 points and eight rebounds, as Thirdy Ravena added six points and five boards, including three rim-rattling dunks.
The Blue Eagles were quick to impose their will, with Ravena guiding his crew to a 7-2 lead.
It didn't take long before the Gilas Pilipinas young gun rocked the ring with back-to-back slams that made it an 11-6 affair with 3:59 to go.
Ivorian bruiser Kouame further padded the lead with a nice up-and-under move over UST's Soulemane Chabi Yo that made it a 14-7 game in the final 2:43.
Ravena had the last say in the title match, scoring on a nasty circus shot with 14.9 seconds to cap off the triumph.
Matt Nieto chimed in two points for Ateneo, with Matthew Daves completing the gold medal-winning quartet.
The Blue Eagles dispatched rival La Salle, 15-7, in the semifinals on their way to another title, this time in the halfcourt game.
UST leaned on Beninese forward Chabi Yo, who scored eight in the Finals match. Rhenz Abando added four points, while Renzo Subido got one.
The Growling Tigers booked their ticket to the titular duel after scoring a repeat over fancied UP, 14-11, sending fan favorites Ricci Rivero and the Gomez de Liano brothers Juan and Javi home early.
The scores:
ATENEO 19 -- Kouame 11, Ravena 6, Nieto 2, Daves 0.
UST 13 -- Chabi Yo 8, Abando 4, Subido 1, Ando 0.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
