Playing in one of their toughest games this season, the defending champions relied on two of their grizzled veterans.
Behind an all-around outing by Thirdy Ravena and the floor generalship of Matt Nieto, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles escaped the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 88-79, to take Game One of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Finals.
“No question, UP deserves to be in the Finals. We have always said that whoever won that series will be a good match-up for us, and we have to play good both ends to win,” shared Ateneo assistant coach
Nieto, who has struggled with a finger injury this season, tallied his career-high 27 points – eclipsing his 22-point outing against the UST Growling Tigers back in September 27, 2017.
For his part, Ravena flirted with a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Last season’s Finals Most Valuable Player also added two steals and two blocks to his name.
And with the two clicking on all cylinders, the Blue Eagles were able to weather a strong UP surge in the final stanza.
After UP cut the lead down to three with 5:18 left, Ateneo went on a 12-1 run powered by the duo and Angelo Kouame to gain a 14-point cushion.
“We know that they are riding on a momentum,” said Ravena, as UP entered the Finals on a five-game winning streak. “Hindi tumitigil yun unless you stop it with preparation. At the end of the day, it was just the breaks of the game kaya naka-alagwa kami nung dulo.”
Kouame had 12 rebounds, seven points, a steal, and a block.
Besides the spectacular outings by Nieto and Ravena, Ateneo also played excellent defense. Paul Desiderio was shackled to the tune of five points on 2-of-6 shooting. The graduating Isko had eight assists and six rebounds.
Juan Gomez de Liano was held down to just 5-of-14 shooting for 17 points. He also committed six turnovers.
“We needed to make sure that these guys don’t get high percentage. They are very good players. That is one of our goals defensively,” beamed Arespacochaga.
“We are not happy that Jun Manzo got nineteen points on good shooting, and UP knocking down thirteen threes. We have to correct those things come Wednesday,” he added.
Manzo finished with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
There was a scary moment for UP as Bright Akhuetie was stretchered off the floor with 6:31 left in the third canto. Fortunately, the set-to-be-named MVP returned with 7:04 remaining. Akhuetie had 10 points and five rebounds.
The Blue Eagles are gunning for their second straight men’s basketball crown – the fifth for Ateneo this season.
Ateneo can clinch their 10th championship on Wednesday, December 5, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
ADMU (88) – Nieto Ma. 27, Ravena 21, Kouame 7, Verano 6, Tio 6, Mamuyac 5, Asistio 4, Nieto Mi. 4, Wong 3, Mendoza 3, Go 2, Navarro 0.
UP (79) – Manzo 19, Gomez de Liaño Ju. 17, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Akhuetie 10, Dario 9, Desiderio 5, Tungcab 3, Vito 3, Prado 2, Murrell 0, Jaboneta 0, Gozum 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18, 39-38, 63-61, 88-79
