Push Admin

3 years after D-League upset, Diouf helps inflict another loss on Ateneo

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="UP center Malick Diouf celebrates after they defeated Ateneo in their UAAP Season 84 second round game. UAAP Media" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/05/03/uaap.jpg"/><figcaption>UP center Malick Diouf celebrates after they defeated Ateneo in their UAAP Season 84 second round game. UAAP Media</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Long before he helped the University of the Philippines (UP) pull off an upset against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP, Senegalese center Malick Diouf already knew what it takes to defeat the Blue Eagles.Diouf was part of the last team to defeat Ateneo before the defending champions suffered an 84-83 loss to the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 84 last Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/01/22/uaap-up-denies-ateneo-elimination-round-sweep">GAME RECAP: UP denies Ateneo elimination round sweep</a></li></ul>That setback for the Blue Eagles happened not in the UAAP, but in the 2019 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup finals, where they dropped a 77-74 decision to the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions. Diouf was the star center for that CEU team, and he netted 23 points, 16 rebounds, four steals, two steals and two blocks in that victory.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/18/19/pba-d-league-ceu-stuns-ateneo-levels-finals-series">READ: CEU stuns Ateneo, levels finals series</a></li></ul>Ateneo still went on to win the PBA D-League finals series in four games, comfortably beating the Scorpions in the next two contests.But Diouf showed on Sunday that the lessons from that game in June 2019 remained with him, as he played his best game for the Fighting Maroons to help them end the Blue Eagles&#x27; 39-game winning streak in the UAAP.The center scored a UAAP career-high 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds -- including a crucial board in the final 30 seconds after the Maroons forced a miss on Ateneo guard SJ Belangel. He also had four assists, a steal, and a block in over 28 minutes.&quot;That was a good game, we totally enjoyed [it]. The joy was there. We just followed the instruction of the coach, we played our system, and we defended very well. The offense also was great,&quot; Diouf said afterward.&quot;I&#x27;m so happy right now,&quot; beamed the center, who was all smiles at the free throw line when he looked to ice the game with a little over a second to go. Diouf bricked both charities, but also secured the board to ensure that Ateneo wouldn&#x27;t get another shot off.He more than held his own against Ateneo center Ange Kouame, who had 21 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and three blocks of his own as well.After the game, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin acknowledged that Diouf&#x27;s performance was a massive factor in their defeat.&quot;You gotta really give Diouf a lot of credit for the game he played. He was outstanding around the basket,&quot; said Baldwin. &quot;Ange was, too, but at the end of the day, we let Diouf have a little bit too much room and space.&quot;&quot;It hurt us, it cost us,&quot; he added.The Fighting Maroons ended the UAAP Season 84 elimination round with a 12-2 win-loss record, and will play third-seeded De La Salle University in the Final 4. UP will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

Long before he helped UP pull off an upset against Ateneo in the UAAP, Malick Diouf already knew what it takes to defeat the Blue Eagles.

3 years after D-League upset, Diouf helps inflict another loss on Ateneo

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

3 years after D-League upset, Diouf helps inflict another loss on Ateneo

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 03, 2022 12:15 PM PHT

|

Updated May 03, 2022 12:17 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

UAAP

UAAP Season 84

Ateneo Blue Eagles

UP Fighting Maroons

Malick Diouf

PBA

PBA D-League

PBA D-League Aspirants Cup

Centro Escolar University

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.