SINIMULAN ng Ateneo ang kampanya na maidepensa ang korona sa impresibong 74-61 panalo kontra University of Santo Tomas nitong Linggo sa UAAP Season 81 juniors basketball tournament sa Blue Eagle Gym.
Sinandigan ng 7-footer at last season’s Finals MVP na si Kai Sotto ang Blue Eaglets sa naiskor na 24 puntos, 13 rebounds, apat na blocks at tatlong assists, habang kumana si Geo Chiu ng 15 puntos at siyam na boards para sa matikas na debut sa Blue Eaglets.
Nanguna si Mark Nonoy sa Tiger Cubs sa nakubrang 31 puntos.
Hataw naman sina Carl Tamayo at Gerry Abadiano sa pinagsamang 28 puntos, habang umiskor si Terrence Fortea ng 11 puntos sa 78-70 panalo ng National University kontra Eastern University-Diliman, 78-70.
Sa iba pang resulta sa opening day, pinadapa ng De La Salle-Zobel ang University of the East, 66-56, habang nanaig ang Adamson University kontra sa UP Integrated School, 78-66.
Iskor:
(Unang Laro)
DLSZ (66) -- Subido 19, Jomalesa 17, Sevilla 13, Macasaet 6, Pingol 4, Villarin 3, Buncayo 2, Milan 2, Cudiamat 0, Luna 0, Marana 0.
UE (56) -- Dichoso 22, Sullano 11, Alinsoring 8, Manaug 5, Lima 4, Flores 3, Tajonera 2, Agbas 1, Almacen 0, Escamilla 0, Gatdula 0, Villarta 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17, 35-29, 44-45, 66-56
(Ikalawang Laro)
NU (78) -- Tamayo 18, Fortea 11, Abadiano 10, Gonzales 8, Alarcon 7, Dayrit 7, Torres 6, Felicilda 5, Quiambao 5, Mailim 1, Vinoya 0, Enriquez 0, Buensalida 0.
FEU (70) -- Abarrientos 15, Tolentino 14, Alforque 12, Anunuevo 7, Bautista 7, Sajonia 6, Ona 5, Bagunu 2, Torres 2, Libago 0, Barasi 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 41-34, 54-52, 78-70
(Ikatlong Laro)
Ateneo (74) -- Sotto 24, Chiu 15, Padrigao 13, Jaymalin 8, Diaz 6, David 5, De Ayre 3, Espinosa 0, Fetalvero 0, Coo 0, Salandanan 0, Pangilinan 0.
UST (61) -- Nonoy 31, Lina 9, Barranco 6, Dolendo 5, Marzan 4, Sumabat 4, Manabat 2, Oliva 0, Casingcasing 0, Amador 0, Benzonan 0, Dumlao 0, Estrella 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 43-35. 58-49, 75-61
(Ikaapat na Laro)
AdU (78) -- Sabandal 23, Manlapaz 12, An. Doria 11, Padilla 7, Tulabut 6, Engbino 4, Hanapi 3, Santos 3, Capulong 2, Nitura 2, Prodigo 2, Berwite 2, Dominguez 1, Barcelona 0, Guarino 0.
UPIS (66) -- Torres 21, Labao 15, Gomez de Liaño 14, Vergeire 7, Galotera 4, Lopez 3, Estrera 2, Tuazon 0.
Quarterscores: 23-10, 45-26, 59-52, 78-66