Ateneo survives FEU in OT to make finals return
THE Ateneo Blue Eagles are making a return trip to finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball after defeating the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 88-84, in overtime in their do-or-die semifinal match yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Getting far more contributions from its roster and playing with the needed resolve to stave off the challenge by its opponent, top- seeded Ateneo avoided being upset by no. 4 team FEU and claimed the last remaining finals spot for Season 80 while setting up a championship rematch with rivals and defending champions De La Salle Green Archers.
The game got off to a competitive start with both teams making their respective runs to try to establish control of the contest.
Ateneo opened things with backto-back triples care of Chibueze Ikeh and Vince Tolentino.
The Eagles continued to hit their mark from long range thereafter, establishing a 14-7 cushion midway into the opening frame.
FEU though would rally back behind Wendell Comboy and Hubert Cani, cutting its deficit to just a point, 16-15, in the windup to the quarter.
Ateneo, however, would regain its bearing and sprinted to a 21-15 lead at the end of the first.
The second quarter saw the two teams showing no letup in their respective assaults.
The Tamaraws narrowed the gap to two points, 23-21, in the opening minutes with Prince Orizu and Barkley Ebona at the forefront.
Not long after Ateneo responded with five quick points from Thirdy Ravena to create further separation.
Jasper Parker though would lead a charge back that saw the Tamaraws coming to within two, 28-26, with less than four minutes remaining.
But just like in the opening quarter, the Eagles would make a late run to end the half still in command, 40-33.
The third period saw FEU jumpstarting things with seven quick points to tie the count at 40all with 7:30 remaining.
Ateneo, towed by Ravena and Matt Nieto, would answer back with a 10-7 run in the next three minutes to take a 50-47 lead with 3:55 to go.
It was a leverage the Eagles would build on to erect a 57-53 advantage at the end of the period.
The Tamaraws went on a 6-0 blast in the opening minute of the payoff quarter, to seize the lead, 59-57, for the first time in the game.
They would extend their advantage behind Orizu, 67-59, with 6:15 remaining on the clock.
The Eagles though would soar back as rookie Gian Mamuyac ignited a rally that helped his team tie the count at 69-all with a little over three minutes left.
Parker gave back the lead to FEU, 71-69, after with a floater.
A split by Mike Nieto on tbe free throw line reduced FEU’s cushion to one, 71-70, with 1:30 to go.
The Tamaraws tried to extend their lead in the succeeding plays but the Eagles’ defense held up which paved the way thereafter with a breakaway basket by Ravena to give Ateneo the lead, 72-71, with 33 ticks remaining.
Parker came back for the Tamaraws with a nifty drive to the basket to size the advantage anew, 73-62, with 24 seconds left.
Matt Nieto had a chance to give the Eagles the upper hand but his shot in the paint failed to connect.
Two free throws by Parker with 14 ticks to go extended the Tamaraws’ lead, 75-72.
Off an Ateneo timeout, big man Isaac Go came up for the Eagles to hit a three-pointer with eight seconds to go to tie the contest at 75-all.
Tolentino had a chance to win it for the Tamaraws but he lost handle of the ball as he went for the shot as time expired.
With life infused back in their game, the Eagles started the overtime with four quick points to build a 79-75 distance in the first minute and a half.
Five straight points from Ron Dennison and Tolentino after pushed the Tamaraws ahead anew, 80-79, with less than three minutes remaining.
The score was knotted at 80- all at the two- minute mark before Matt Nieto exploded for five straight points to hand Ateneo an 85- 80 edge with 46 seconds to go.
Richard Escoto made it a three point game, 85-82, but that was the closest the Tamaraws could get as Matt Nieto and Go conspired to keep Ateneo ahead the rest of the way en route to securing the win.
Ravena paced Ateneo with 17 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists.
Matt Nieto and Ikeh had 16 points apiece while Go added 13.
FEU, meanwhile, was led by Parker with 19 points with Tolentino, Comboy and Orizu adding 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“Entering the game we knew we were up against a tough team. They really played well but credit to our boys for showing composure and sticking to the game plan,” said Ateneo deputy Sandy Arespacochaga following their win.
The best-of-three championship series between Ateneo and La Salle begins on Saturday, Nov. 25, with Game One also at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Eagles and Archers split their previous two games this season with the former taking game in the first round of the eliminations, 76-75, while the latter came back in the second round, 79-76, to thwart the Eagles’ sweep bid in the classification phase.
La Salle booked its spot in the finals last Saturday after making short work of the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their Final Four pairing.
Despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage like Ateneo, the Archers saw no need to use, beating the Falcons at the first instance, 82-75.