Ateneo bags UAAP title
ANGE Kouame had 19 points and 12 rebounds as Ateneo held off University of the Philippines, 75-68, in Game Three to bag the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball crown on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The naturalized Filipino citizen from Ivory Coast was named Finals MVP after averaging 17.7 points on 50 percent shooting, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the series.
Gab Gomez and Forthsky Padrigao had 12 points each as Ateneo completed the comeback after dropping the opener of the best-of-three series.
James Spencer led the Maroons with 14 points, while Harold Alarcon and Henry Galinato scored 12 each.
Ildefonso to KBL, Kouame to undergo surgery
DAVE Ildefonso is set to play in Korea, according to sources, after helping Ateneo regain the top spot in the UAAP.
The 22-year-old Ildefonso, son of two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso, scored two for the Blue Eagles in the title decider against the UP Maroons. He averaged 12.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in Season 85.
Meanwhile, Ange Kouame will undergo surgery to repair a for a partial ACL tear.
The 25-year-old Kouame has dealt with the injury since June and was unable to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas during the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifying windows in July and August and the 2022 FIBA Asian Cup.
Pinto update
NARDS Pinto still had some swelling in his ankle but was glad to test it as he played several minutes in Ginebra’s 103-80 Game Three win over Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
The feisty guard says he is about 80 percent in his recovery and is eager to deliver as the Gin Kings try to close out the Hotshots in Game Four of the best-of-five series.
It was the first appearance in the playoffs for Pinto after missing the quarterfinals against NorthPort and the first two games of the semis after suffering an ankle sprain late in the eliminations.
PBA Finals schedule
THE PBA looks to start the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Christmas Day.
“Kahit anong mangyari sa semis, kung matapos ang parehong series ng Game 4 or kung merong Game 5, sa Pasko ang simula ng finals,” Marcial said.
Guest team Bay Area Dragons and fan favorite Barangay Ginebra lead their respective series against defending champion San Miguel and Magnolia at 2-1.
Game Four of the best-of-five semis will be held on Wednesday at MoA Arena. Game Five, if necessary is set on Friday.
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