Ateneo frustrates Final Four-seeking UE for fourth win

Despite its early exit, Ateneo de Manila University continued to fight for pride after ending its three-game slump at the expense of Final Four-seeking University of the East, 71-67, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. 

The Blue Eagles are back in the win column after three straight losses, albeit late into the season as they continued to stall the Red Warriors’ way back to the Final Four.

Ateneo leaned on balanced effort with five players in double figures and improved 4-9 at the very bottom of the standings. 

Andrew Bongo led the winning cause with 15 points on a perfect 3-of-3 inside shooting, and grabbed six rebounds, while Shaun Tauno delivered 13 points. 

Meanwhile, Chris Koon and and Joshua Lazaro posted a pair of double-double performances with 12 and 11 points, respectively, which went with 10 and 12 rebounds. 

Ateneo rookie Jared Bahay, for his part, turned in 11 points highlighted by two triples.

The Blue Eagles squandered a 35-20 advantage in the first half as the Red Warriors kept crawling back to turn things around and briefly made it a tight 58-57 lead for themselves early in the fourth period. 

With the game locked at 67 with only 43.3 ticks left, Bahay regained the upper hand for Ateneo with a hook shot before both sides battled for possession on back-to-back loose balls. 

However, Sean Quitevis iced the game from the line with two freebies and sealed the victory for the Blue Eagles. 

“We talked before the game to the team, and I think there’s more than just pride to play for. There’s the uniform that we wear and trying to live up to the standards that are expected of us by the community, by our teammates, and by ourselves. And maybe that is pride, but I was just very happy with the team,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. 

UE, sans Precious Momowei who was slapped with a one-game suspension, slid to a 6-7 hole with one game left against University of the Philippines. 

The Red Warriors only need one more win to enter the semifinal cast. Rainer Maga and John Abate led the losing cause as their efforts proved to be lacking in four straight games.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News