MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles escaped in a do or die match against Far Eastern University and clinched Finals again after 4 years.
Far Eastern the UAAP champions last year did not easily put their head down as they battle for their alumni and sends the game in overtime in a thrilling win by Ateneo Blue Eagles (69-68).
Ateneo celebrates its return trip to the UAAP Finals after outlasting FEU, 69-68, in overtime of their Final Four duel. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It took 45 minutes to dethrone the defending champion as they both battle for the pride of their respective School. Ateneo Blue Eagles early run lead (15-9) with just under 3 minutes to play. But the defending champions hold back the Blue Eagles and counter with their (11-0) run to end the opening quarter with 5pts lead (20-15). They are now combined with 35pts unlike in their last game on November 26, 2016, they ended tied (10-10).
After 20 minutes of Play Far Eastern University holds a 3pt lead going into the break (41-38), both teams exchange basket and run after a run of the opposing team. The team was tied 6times after 2 quarters (2-2,4-4,26-26,34-34,36-36,38-38) and lead changes in 16th times.
After the Tamaraws lead by (45-40), Ateneo went 9-0 run again to regain the lead by 4pts (49-45). Ateneo holds their lead to end the third quarter with a score of (53-49).
With just 7:28 minutes remaining in the final period Far Eastern University regains the lead (56-55). Tamaraws capitalize (62-58) lead under 3 minutes, but it was tied again with 62 and 64 apiece under 2 minutes. Ravena’s scored the last 4 pts of Ateneo (66-64) but Dennison answered with a floater to tie (66-66) and send the game to overtime.
With more than 2 minutes pass both teams did not score until Tolentino split his free throws to extend the lead (67-66) by Ateneo but Dennison answered again (68-67). But when Tolentino taps the ball to Isaac, Go, the blooded Isaac, Go saves the Ateneo (69-68).
FEU Tamaraws had a chance to be back in finals after Ravena had a turnover, but Ron Dennison crucial lay-up basket in dying seconds left the entire crowd speechless, but when the review Denisson shot was after the game clock expired when he release the ball.
Ateneo Coach Tab Baldwin said below:
“Shot went down. I think you can’t separate these teams with a sledgehammer and crowbar. We were that close,”. “They made the last shot but it was half a second too late.”
Raymar Jose double-double performance with 12 points and 12 rebounds in his final game for FEU, Isaac Go also finished with double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Ateneo will face top seeded La Salle on Saturday December 03, 2016 at Mall of Asia Arena. Last time Archers and Blue Eagles meet in finals is 2008 when Ateneo was crowned as champion.
Quarter Scores: 15-20, 38-41, 53-49, 66-66, 69-68 (OT)
ATENEO 69 – Ravena 13, Nieto Mi 13, Go 12, Tolentino 9, Wong 8, Nieto Ma 7, Asistio 3, Verano 2, Black 2, Ikeh 0
FEU 68 – Arong 15, Jose 12, Escoto 11, Dennison 8, Inigo 7, Comboy 5, Orizu 4, Trinidad 4, Nunag 2, Tuffin 0, Ebona 0, Holmqvist 0
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