Ateneo takes down UP to reclaim UAAP basketball crown

The men's basketball crown will return to Katipunan.

Ateneo de Manila University on Monday took down University of the Philippines, 75-68, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 85 Finals to reclaim the men's basketball crown.

Katipunan-based Ateneo was up by 12, 64-52, early in the fourth period before the Diliman-based UP squad made a late rally and cut their deficit to five, 67-62, after a James Spencer triple with 2:11 left. Ange Kouame extended the blue-and-white's lead to eight before UP moved back to within three points, 70-67, after a Harold Alarcon triple. Free throws from BJ Andrade sealed the deal for Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles relied on a strong first half as they limited the Fighting Maroons, 30-14, at the end of the first quarter. Ateneo led by as much as 20, 52-32, early in the third period.

Kouame, who is playing his last year for Ateneo, led with a double-double performance of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. The naturalized Filipino player was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals.

Meanwhile, Forthsky Padrigao and Gab Gomez chipped in for 12 points each for the Blue Eagles. BJ Andrade, also in his last playing year, finished with 10 points.

Spencer tallied 14 points, while Alarcon and Henry Galinato had 12 points each. Carl Tamayo tallied 11 points, while Malick Diouf scored seven points on top of his 19 boards in the UP loss.

The Blue Eagles ended the elimination round at the top spot with an 11-3 record and defeated Adamson University in the semis.

Ateneo lost to UP, 72-66, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals, before dismantling the Fighting Maroons, 65-55, in Game 2.

Prior to UP's championship last season, Ateneo won the title for three straight seasons (2017, 2018, 2019). 

The scores:

Ateneo 75 - Kouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0.

UP 68 - Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Lina 0.

Quarters: 30-14, 47-32, 60-52, 75-68.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News