UP SURVIVES ATENEO, ENDS 7-YEAR DRUBBING
By Maxine Louise Lagman
8 October 2016
THERE was no greater time to stand up from the seats and raise their fists, as the University of the Philippines crowd sang their school hymn once again, glorifying the men wearing maroon jerseys, who won triumphantly over the Ateneo De Manila University, 56-52 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With Ateneo’s aggressiveness in handling the ball, they made it hard for the Fighting Maroons to claim their win. The first half was a tight match, as both teams answered back-to-back points against each other and ended with a tie, 23-23.
Opening the third period was a perfect three from Felixberto Jaboneta. This ignited his fellow teammates to step-up their game and led the quarter with a point lead. A few seconds left on the clock, UP standout Jett Manuel was able to pull through a buzzer beater three points, ended the third 41-39.
The fourth period became more intense. UP led by as much as seven points with five minutes left, but Ateneo showed off their grit on a full-court press and closed in to 51-50. Gelo Vito was able to score three with a minute left, but an offensive foul was called on first, which made the shot void.
“Kung di talaga i-count, we go to the next play. We can’t really dwell on it. Tuloy tuloy yung laro. Hindi kami pwede tumigil and baka kasi pag tumigil kami, matalo pa kami. So we just have to continue with the game,” said Vito.
However, Manuel saw an opportunity and gave the ball to Vito with 50 seconds left, Vito shot another three. Ateneo was able to possess the ball, but did not made a point. Manuel capped off the game with two perfect free throw shots.
“We really believe that we are better than 1-6. I really thought that if we could have been able to close the other games, like we did today, then we could’ve won a couple more games. And the added incentive for that is that I was telling them, most especially Jett and our other graduating players there that we’re not going to wait for another seven years just to beat Ateneo again,” said UP Coach Bo Perasol.
The last win UP had against Ateneo was in 2009.
“The credit really goes to my players. They really displayed great determination, especially in the end-game. So, they really just did it, we won our game against Ateneo.” Perasol added.
Manuel led the Maroons with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Paul Desiderio added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
“First of all, it’s good to be back here,” said Manuel during the post-game interview, his smile wide. “It is my last year this season, and I don’t want to go out and leave my UAAP career with a one win record. So that was what drove me and I’m really happy about the team. This is just the start of the second round and I’m looking forward to more people to step up.”
UP will face Adamson University on Oct. 12, while Ateneo against Adamson too on Oct. 16.
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