MANILA – Ateneo Blue Eagles-Philippines sustained its rise in the 2018 William Jones Cup after scoring victories over Indonesia and Japan at the Xinzhuang Gym in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
George Isaac Go waxed hot with six triples as the Philippines scored 89-78 against Indonesia for its third win in five matches on Thursday.
Trailing 55-49 early in the third quarter, Ateneo unloaded a 27-7 scoring run behind Go and Filipino-New Zealander Patrick Maagdenberg to take a 76-62 lead heading into the fourth.
Ateneo went to lead by as much as 83-64 on triples from Jolo Mendoza but the Indonesians countered with a rally to trim the deficit 72-83 before Mendoza sealed the win with another triple.
On Wednesday, the Philippines came up with clutch baskets in the endgame to survive a late run by Japan with an 80-74 victory. Kakou Ange Kouame led the way with double-double 15 points and 15 rebounds.
The Philippines had a strong run in the second quarter on inside penetrations by Adrian Wong, Joseph Nieto and Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III to raise the lead to 33-21. Japan came up with a late run to cut the deficit 31-37 at the half.
Ateneo pulled away anew at the onset of the third 48-34 on back-to-back inside hits from Kouame. Japan answered back with outside hits to take the lead 63-62 early in the fourth.
The Philippines got inside hits from Gian Mamuyac and Kouame to extend the lead 76-70. Japan came close with a triple 73-76 but three free throws by Wong from a flagrant foul by Japan’s Takuma Sato sealed the win for Ateneo.
Ateneo will return to action Friday against Lithuania at 5 p.m., followed by Republic of China on Saturday and Iran on Sunday./PN
