Jaden Lazo powers Ateneo past Adamson for third straight win

Jaden Lazo erupted for 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to power Ateneo de Manila University past Adamson University, 77-58, for their third straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a tight third period that ended with Ateneo holding a slim 51-48 lead, the Blue Eagles unleashed a 17-1 run to pull away, taking a commanding 68-49 advantage with 3:25 remaining.

Lazo ignited the run by opening the fourth with a triple and a layup, then capped the said Ateneo run with another three-pointer.

Matt Erolon briefly stopped the bleeding for the Soaring Falcons, but Lazo struck again from beyond the arc to extend Ateneo’s lead anew to 19 points.

Following two free throws from Erolon, Ateneo’s Josh Lazaro nailed a jumper before Lazo virtually sealed the win with another bucket under the two-minute mark.

Lazo finished with 15 points, built on three triples, along with two assists, while Nigerian center Divine Adili had 16 points and six rebounds.

Erolon, in a losing effort for Adamson, shot seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points. He was the only Falcon to score in double digits.

With the win, Ateneo improved to 3–0, while Adamson dropped to 1–2.

Scores:

Ateneo 77 -- Adili 16, Lazo 15, Ladi 14, Espinosa 10, Escobar 8, Lazaro 6, Bahay 3, Espina 3, Nieto 2, Ong 0, Tuano 0, Bongo 0, Gamber 0, Cainglet 0, Ebdane 0, Fjellvang 0.

Adamson 58 -- Erolon 23, Torres 7, Manzano 6, Ojarikre 6, Anabo 5, Montebon 5, Demisana 2, Fransman 2, Canete 2, A. Ronzone 0, C. Ronzone 0, Perez 0, Barcelona 0, Medina 0, Jaymalin 0, Tumaneng 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 33-30, 51-48, 77-58.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News