Ateneo conquers La Salle, takes Game 1 of UAAP Finals
By Maxine Louise Lagman
26 November 2017
With the title on the line, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and La Salle Green Archers gave their all to gain a Finals advantage. However, only the sea of blue and white were the only ones who erupted into a chorus of cheers as the Eagles win the battle.
Ateneo De Manila University conquered the defending champions, 76-70, in the Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Finals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo did not waste time taking over the game and outlasted La Salle in the first quarter, 26-14.
The physicality of the game doubles up at the end of the second frame. Matt Nieto was left bloodied on the floor as he received a cut above his left eye after Ben Mbala accidentally elbowed him.
With his twin brother hurt, Mike Nieto was more boosted into winning the game.
“I didn’t want to retaliate by hurting La Salle physically or by punching them. I just wanted to win the game,” Nieto said.
Mike Nieto exploded seven consecutive points coming into the final frame that gave Ateneo a 69-59 lead with 6:34 left.
However, La Salle did not easily back down as Aljun Melecio led the squad to an 11-2 run that cut their deficit to only one, 71-70, with only 2:32 left on the clock.
As Thirdy Ravena managed to shoot a basket to keep Ateneo afloat, La Salle scrambles to find a shot as time was running out.
But, big man Isaac Go, who only finished with five points, scored the deciding basket from a pass by Ravena in the last 10.4 seconds of the game to cap off Ateneo’s win.
Ravena paced Ateneo with 12 points, six boards and four dimes, while Matt Nieto had 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. His brother, Mike, chipped in another 11 points, along with five rebounds.
Melecio led La Salle with 24 points, three assists and two rebounds, while Ricci Rivero had 10 points and three rebounds.
Two-time MVP Mbala was limited to eight points and 12 rebounds.
Ateneo will look to sweep the Finals and its first title since UAAP Season 75, while La Salle hopes to get a chance in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
