Alolino shines as NU eliminates Ateneo to book Finals ticket #UAAP77
By Yanzi Eco
October 1, 2014
Gelo Alolino was the man of the moment when the #4 seed National University Bulldogs shocked the top-seed Ateneo Blue Eagles in a classic do-or-die game where NU prevailed 65-63.
Alolino scored 12 points including 5 rebounds and 2 assists that helped the Bulldogs get the win and the first seat in this year’s finals.
Despite NU leading most of the game and led as much as 12 points, the game went down the wire in the defining moments of the game when the Blue Eagles made a comeback in the 2nd half.
Led by Kiefer Ravena and Chris Newsome, the Blue Eagles made a series of runs creating a rubber match having a total of 11 lead changes and 7 deadlocks in the ballgame.
Alolino scored 5 crucial points in the last 2 minutes of regulation when he scored a clutch three-pointer that tied the game at 63-all, and a pair of freethrows with 9.3 seconds left that eventually sealed the deal for the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs’ big man Alfred Aroga also scored 14 points and 12 rebounds. Team captain Glenn Khobuntin also added 11 points and 8 rebounds of his own.
Ateneo’s Chris Newsome led all scores with 22 points in 67% shooting while Kiefer Ravena also contributed with 18 points.
This will be NU’s first Finals appearance after 44 years. Their last appearance was in 1970, pre-Final Four era.
LOOKING BACK: Last year, NU became the first #1 seed to get eliminated by a #4 seed in the Final 4 after they were swept by UST in 2 games. But this time, they were the 2nd #4 team to eliminate a #1 team in Ateneo.
The scores:
NU 65: Aroga 14, Alolino 12, Khobuntin 11, Rosario 9, Javelona 8, Neypes 4, Diputado 3, Alejandro 2, Perez 2, Betayene 0, Atangan 0.
Ateneo 63: Newsome 22, K. Ravena 18, Elorde 8, Pessumal 8, Babilonia 4, V. Tolentino 2, Gotladera 1, Apacible 0, Capacio 0, A. Tolentino 0.
Quarter scores: 12-8, 32-27, 46-47, 65-63.
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