Ateneo survives FEU in OT to setup finals rematch with La Salle
By Maxine Louise Lagman
22 November 2017
The Ateneo De Manila University escaped Far Eastern University in overtime, 88-84 to book a Finals in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles booked a Finals best-of-three rematch with the defending champion, De La Salle University, which will begin on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a hard win for the Blue Eagles as the fourth-seeded Tamaraws put up their best game to hopefully make it to a third match, but fell short coming into the end game.
FEU watched as their eight point lead in the fourth quarter, 67-59, slowly disappeared as Ateneo managed to get their momentum back and tied the game at 69 as Mike Nieto drilled a booming triple in the final four minutes of the game.
The Tamaraws was still on the run, but Isaac Go shot another booming triple in the final 8.5 seconds to tie the game at 75 and forced an overtime.
Matt Nieto followed suit and exploded in overtime as he unleashed back-to-back shots including another triple to gain a five-point advantage, 85-80 with 46.9 ticks left in the game. Go eventually sealed the win after hitting a lucky shot on one knee in the final 22.5 seconds of the game.
“Credits to FEU, they played really well. Their coaching staff had a great game plan and their players really stepped up,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We weren’t thinking that this was a 7-7 team. We were ready to play a close game and that is what happened.”
Thirdy Ravena topped Ateneo with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Chibueze Ikeh finished with a double-double record of 16 markers and 11 boards.
Matt Nieto shot six of his 16 points in the overtime period, while Go chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
Jasper Parker led the Tamaraws with a game-high 19 points, while Arvin Tolentino added 13 points.
The Scores
ADMU 88 – Ravena 17, Nieto Ma 16, Ikeh 16, Go 13, Mendoza 5, Tio 5, Nieto Mi 4, Tolentino 3, Black 3, Mamuyac 2, Verano 2, Porter 2, Asistio 0
