Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

UAAP 85 MBB: Ateneo survives UP storm, regains throne


Redemption completed.

Ateneo de Manila University reclaimed the crown it lost last May, outlasting Zavier Lucero-less University of the Philippines in Game Three of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball Finals, 75-68, in front of 21,814 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday.

Lucero injured his left knee in the fourth quarter of Game Two which the Blue Eagles won, 65-55, to force a decider.

This is Ateneo’s 12th championship and its fourth in the last five seasons.UAAP-85-MBB-Finals-G3-ADMU-vs.-UP-1681 UAAP 85 MBB: Ateneo survives UP storm, regains throne ADMU Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“Those guys. Those guys right there, those people right there, and the support of the Ateneo people worldwide. A great start to the game, a great first half, and we weathered the storm,” said Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

Down 12 midway through the fourth, Fighting Maroons Malick Diouf, Henry Galinato, and James Spencer made seven straight points, capped by the latter’s three-pointer with 2:12 left, to inch within five, 62-67.

But Ange Kouame, in the ensuing play, followed up on Chris Koon’s layup miss for the putback as he was fouled, swishing the bonus for a brand new eight point lead with 1:48 to go, 70-62.

Carl Tamayo then split his charities on the other end before misses from both sides.

Harold Alarcon was then fouled from downtown, making the first before missing the second. In his third try, he purposely flunked it then went for the offensive board, ran to the left corner, and made a triple to cut the UP deficit to just three with 20.1 seconds left, 67-70.

The Fighting Maroons tried BJ Andrade at the line, but the senior sniper made both free throws to put the Blue Eagles back up by five with 12.3 seconds remaining, 72-67.

#ReadMore  'Inspirational' Henry Walker continues to lift up Blackwater

Off a timeout, Alarcon launched from deep but missed as Sean Quitevis sealed the game with a conversion from the line.

Finals MVP Kouame finished his Ateneo career with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. He averaged 17.66 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in the series.UAAP-85-MBB-Finals-G3-ADMU-vs.-UP-Ange-Kouame-1268 UAAP 85 MBB: Ateneo survives UP storm, regains throne ADMU Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“This means a lot to me because nobody believed in us, even if we didn’t believe in us in the start. But Coach Tab is the man and we just followed his lead,” said the 6-foot-11 naturalized Filipino.

“I’m so far from the forefront of this championship. It’s about these players. I’m just so grateful for their effort. I’m the lucky guy,” added Baldwin.

Gomez had 12 points on three triples, while Forthsky Padrigao also got 12. Andrade rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 of his own.

Aside from Kouame, Andrade, and Dave Ildefonso have played their last game for the Blue Eagles.

On the other hand, Galinato, Brix Ramos, and Lucero have likewise exhausted their eligibility for the Fighting Maroons.

Spencer topscored for UP with 14 points while Alarcon and Galinato made 12 points apiece with six and seven rebounds, respectively.UAAP85-MBB-TAMAYO UAAP 85 MBB: Ateneo survives UP storm, regains throne ADMU Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

Tamayo was held to just 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the field with nine rebounds to his name.

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.

#ReadMore  Sisi Rondina knows only way to repay UST is with a championship

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

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.


You May Also Like

Basketball

The dawn of 2024 heralds a new era for University of the Philippines as it proudly announces its partnership with the Bank of the...

ADMU

Ever since committing to Ateneo de Manila University early this year, Jared Bahay has already trained with the Blue Eagles for a couple of...

ADMU

Gab Gomez announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and bid farewell to Ateneo de Manila University in a heartfelt social...

Basketball

Northport exhibited poise beyond its youth, securing a 124-120 victory against Phoenix in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday at the SMART...

Basketball

When Zavier Lucero entered the hallowed grounds of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday evening, he had mixed emotions. Back on December 14, 2022...

Basketball

NLEX outlasted NorthPort in overtime, 107-100, in a pulsating PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup debut on Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Robert...

Basketball

In a highly anticipated comeback to the home court, Justin Brownlee, undeterred by his recent suspension, orchestrated a dazzling performance that underscored his unwavering...

Basketball

University of the Philippines president Jijil Jimenez hosted a significant meeting on Monday. The gathering brought together key officials, including University of the Philippines...

Advertisement