Ateneo slays Adamson, sets up UAAP Finals rematch with UP

It's another Battle of Katipunan in the UAAP.

Ateneo de Manila dismantled Adamson University, 81-60, in the Final Four of UAAP Season 85 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to book the second ticket to the UAAP Finals.

The Blue Eagles went on a 19-0 run to end the third quarter and widen their lead, 63-36, after leading by just ten, 39-29, at the end of the first half. It was enough to give the Katipunan-based squad control of the game until the final buzzer.

Chris Koon went hot from deep with four out of five triples on top of three rebounds, while Forthsky Padrigao, Kai Ballungay, and Dave Ildefonso chipped in 16, 13, and 11 points, respectively. Ange Kouame flirted with a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Jerom Lastimosa, meanwhile, was limited to 10 points, the only Falcon who scored in double digits.

With the win, Ateneo will face University of the Philippines for the Season 85 crown.

This is Ateneo's sixth straight Finals appearance since Season 79.

Game 1 of the Finals will be played on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

Ateneo 81 - Padrigao 16, Koon 15, Ballungay 13, Ildefonso 11, Kouame 9, Andrade 5, Gomez 3, Quitevis 3, Garcia 3, Daves 2, Lao 1, Lazaro 0, Chiu 0, Fetalvero 0, Fornilos 0, Ong 0.

Adamson 60 - Lastimosa 10, Hanapi 9, Manzano 8, Yerro 7, Douanga 6, Flowers 6, Torres 5, Sabandal 3, V. Magbuhos 3, Colonia 2, Manlapaz 1, Fuentebella 0, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, W. Magbuhos 0, Barcelona 0.

Quarters: 20-13, 39-29, 63-36, 81-60.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News