Ateneo Blue Eaglets retain number two position in UAAP jrs

Kai Sotto had a double-double at 17 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and one steal. (Photo: Jim De Ramos/Facebook)

The Ateneo Blue Eaglets continue to stand second in ranking for the University Athletics Association (UAAP) Season 81 juniors’ basketball tournament semifinals, as they triumph a double-digit win over Adamson last Sunday, February 10 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The huge lead is attested to Forthsky Padrigao, who went 17-3 during the first half, turning a 25-23 lead into a 42-26 lead. Although he only provided 2-of-13 from the field, he contributed nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Teammate Geo Chiu turned out to be the highest pointer with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, coming off the bench, while Kai Sotto had a double-double at 17 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and one steal. David Diaz performed as well, chipping ten points and five rebounds.

Ateneo head coach Reggie Varilla shared, “I’d like to give credit to our bigs. They were fighting for it the whole time. We had three centers and what better way than Kai as a power forward and they embraced that. And now, we’re seeing them play really well together.”

This win totals 11 for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, only losing thrice in the season. Therefore, they do not have a twice-to-beat advantage over the number three seeded team, Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman.

As for the Adamson Baby Falcons, Joshua Barcelona led the team with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Jake Engbino provided 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists. However, the rest of their teammates, including usual scorer Joem Sabandal, was limited in scoring, which is why they now have to settle for the number four spot during the tournament’s semi-finals going against the twice-to-beat advantage of Nazareth School of National University.