By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) stayed atop the Final Four ladder after conquering their respective opponents in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, November 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles secured the top spot after beating Adamson University, 66-61, and rose to 11-3. With the win, Ateneo will enter the Final Four as the top-ranked team for the fifth consecutive season.
Although they are tied with University of the Philippines, Ateneo still has a better quotient over the Maroons.
“It’s the Final Four already and we can’t get too caught up that we’re number one. We all know entering the Final Four it’s a whole new ball game,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Down by 10 in the final frame, Adamson’s AP Manlapaz, Jerom Lastimosa, Joem Sabandal and Cedrick Manzano made a run to inch within one, 61-62, 1:43 left.
Ange Kouame’s putback gave Ateneo a three-point advantage, 64-61, 35.3 seconds to go. Soaring Falcons Joaquin Jaymalin and Sabandal attempted for a triple, but failed, leaving BJ Andrade to ice the game for the Blue Eagles.
Kai Ballungay and Kouame led Ateneo with a double-double record of 18 points and 14 rebounds, and 12 markers and 12 boards, respectively. Andrade chipped in 13 points in the win.
Manlapaz’ 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting breakout game for Adamson was put to waste as they slipped to a 7-7 win-loss record. They will take on DLSU on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the playoff match for the last Final Four spot. The winner of that game will face twice-to-beat Ateneo.
On the other hand, La Salle kept their Final Four hopes alive after surviving University of Santo Tomas (UST), 77-72.
“It was a hard-fought ball game,” said Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren. “We just have to keep playing and just gonna do our part. The boys hang tough out there, it was a total team effort.”
The Growling Tigers held a nine-point lead, 69-60, off a Royce Mantua triple, 8:26 left in the final period. However, that would be their last field goal until Richi Calimag’s buzzer beater.
However, Mark Nonoy, JC Macalalag, Evan Nelle, and Ben Philipps went for a 17-point blast to give La Salle the win.
Nelle led the Green Archers with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Raven Cortez chipped in 13 markers and four boards.
On the other hand, Mantua paced UST with 17 points on five triples, while Nic Cabanero had 16 markers, five rebounds, and four assists. The Growling Tigers ended their UAAP Season 85 with a 1-13 slate.
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