Ateneo nears sweep, sends UP to brink of elimination
By Maxine Louise Lagman
8 November 2017
Unbeaten Ateneo is just one game away from an elimination round sweep after winning over University of the Philippines, 96-82, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a tough match to begin with as the Maroons fought their way close enough to the Blue Eagles, ending the third quarter at 64-63.
Coming into the fourth, Ateneo retraced their tracks and gained back their momentum to lead the game once again, but UP quickly caught up after mounting an 11-0 run to tie the game at 79 with 4:11 left in the game.
Ateneo managed to go on a 17-3 run to break themselves away from the tie and claim its 13th consecutive win as UP was cut from their momentum after a foul was called on Maroons’ Jun Manzo, instead of what should have been an 8-second violation on Blue Eagles’ Jolo Mendoza.
“We showed a lot of character in the end. It was a tough game and we were challenged from the start and I’m happy that the players really stepped up to the challenge,” said coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
The Blue Eagles limited the Fighting Maroons to 29 percent shooting in the second half, compared to its 54 percent from the field in the first half. Ateneo also outrebounded UP, 49-34.
“Our players just settled down and listened to the coaches at the half. They knew they weren’t making the best decisions to start the game,” added Arespacochaga.
Matt Nieto led Ateneo with 19 points and four rebounds, while Isaac Go and Gian Mamuyac chipped in 13 markers each.
Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena still managed to contribute well for the team despite struggling from the field. He had 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.
Juan Gomez de Liano led UP with 21 points, while Paul Desiderio had 16 points on a horrific 6-of-18 from the field.
The Scores:
ADMU 96 – Nieto Ma 19, Go 13, Mamuyac 13, Ravena 10, Tolentino 10, Nieto Mi 9, Verano 8, Ikeh 6, Asistio 4, Mendoza 4, Tio 0, Black 0.
UP 82 – Gomez de Liano Ju 21, Desiderio 16, Manzo 13, Dario 8, Gomez de Liano Ja 7, Lim 4, Ouattara 3, Jaboneta 3, Webb 2, Romero 2, Lao 2, Prado 1, Vito 0, Ricafort 0, Harris 0
Quarterscores: 22-23, 42-48, 63-64, 96-82
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