Ateneo de Manila University protected its home floor by the skin of its teeth, surviving a late rally from Far Eastern University for a 75-72 victory in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Blue Eagles not only avenged their 93-70 loss to the Tamaraws in the first round but also snapped a three-game losing streak to level their win-loss record at 4-4.
“It’s a very, very big win swing for us because I know we’re just one game behind sa mga nasa upper bracket. But more than the win, parang hindi na kami ulit marunong manalo nung last three games. Yung last practices namin, I told them it’s not about the X’s and O’s; it’s all about the willingness to sacrifice,” said Ateneo head coach Louie Alas.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ateneo, FEU, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas are now tied for fourth to seventh places in the tightly contested race for the Final Four.
Sultan Baruwa’s free throws and Travis Roberts’ converted and-one play gave the Blue Eagles an 11-point cushion, 73-62, with 1:51 remaining. However, the Tamaraws, led by graduating guard Jorick Bautista, refused to go down without a fight.
Jedric Daa, Bautista, and Mo Konateh combined for 10 unanswered points, capped by Bautista’s three-pointer that cut FEU’s deficit to just one, 72-73, with 5.8 seconds remaining.
The Tamaraws then sent Kieffer Alas to the free-throw line on the ensuing possession, where the rookie calmly sank both attempts to restore Ateneo’s three-point lead, 75-72, with 3.7 seconds left.
FEU called a timeout to set up its final possession, but in a puzzling decision, reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol opted for a two-point floater that missed, allowing Ateneo to escape with the victory.
Alas led the Blue Eagles with 21 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Jared Bahay bounced back with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, along with four assists.
Bahay had struggled in Ateneo’s previous game against UST, finishing with just three points on 1-of-13 shooting.
Nigerian center Sultan Baruwa also delivered a career-best performance of 13 points and 12 rebounds, adding two steals. Ian Espinosa and Roberts chipped in eight points apiece.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Bautista finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and four steals, but the Tamaraws have now dropped three straight games after opening the season with a blistering 4-1 record.
Konateh, who erupted for 29 points and 11 rebounds in FEU’s first-round victory over Ateneo, was limited to 12 points and 16 rebounds despite playing 39 minutes and nine seconds.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo opens the men’s basketball schedule against National University at 2:30 p.m., followed by FEU’s matchup against Adamson University at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
Ateneo 75 — Alas 21, Bahay 15, Baruwa 13, Espinosa 8, Roberts 8, Tuano 6, Kapihe 2, Rogers 2, Bongo 0, Espina 0.
FEU 72 — Bautista 18, Konateh 12, Mongcopa 11, Cabonillas 11, Pasaol 7, Burgos 7, Daa 4, Nakai 2, Felipe 0, Gish 0, Montemayor 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 46-30, 58-50, 75-72.
