Already eliminated from UAAP men’s basketball Final Four contention, on-fire Ateneo delivers a heartbreaking parting shot to semis-seeking UE, which drops to fourth off its third straight loss
MANILA, Philippines – With nothing to play for but pride, the also-ran Ateneo Blue Eagles further complicated UE’s UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final Four search after forging a 71-67 escape of the Red Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, November 13.
Although still in last place, the once-mighty Blue Eagles nonetheless rose to a 4-9 record with only the Adamson Soaring Falcons — another Final Four hunter — left in its schedule on November 23. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors slid to fourth off its third straight loss, just behind UST with identical 6-7 slates.
Sweet-shooting Drew Bongo led five Ateneo players in double-digit scoring with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting with 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while Shawn Tuano scattered 13 points, 4 boards, 3 dimes, and 2 steals in the momentum-boosting win.
Veterans Chris Koon (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Joshua Lazaro (11 points, 12 rebounds) churned out a pair on double-doubles in the win, while Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Bahay scored 11, the last 5 coming in the final 68 seconds of regulation, first off a go-ahead, side-step triple for the 67-65 lead.
UE forward Devin Fikes — filling in as the default center for the suspended Precious Momowei — then committed a crucial goaltend on a Bahay floater with 19.6 ticks left, 69-67, before Rainer Maga had a sorry point-blank miss on the other end to hand possession back to Ateneo with 8.5 seconds left.
Off a duty foul, Blue Eagles co-captain Sean Quitevis then calmly drained his charities to erect back a two-possession lead and set the final score, as they successfully averted disaster long after blowing a game-high second-quarter lead, 35-20.
“Well, I think we talked before the game, the team and I think there is more than just pride to play for — there’s the uniform that we wear,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
“Trying to live up to the standards that are expected of us by our community, by our teammates, and by ourselves — maybe that part is pride. I was just very happy with the team today because they played with so much effort and resolve.”
Maga tied Bongo with a game-high 15 points, while John Abate scored 11 in just 16 minutes of action. Fikes missed out on a double-double with a decent 9-point, 10-rebound effort plus 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, while Wello Lingolingo and Ethan Galang added 8 points apiece.
UE, still assured of at least a fourth-seed playoff, will get one final shot to clinch an outright Final Four berth next Wednesday, November 20, as they attempt to slay second-seeded UP at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Red Warriors hope to finally end a 15-year semifinal drought, while the Fighting Maroons aim to avoid a three-game skid heading to their fifth straight Final Four appearance.
The Scores
Ateneo 71 – Bongo 15, Tuano 13, Koon 12, Bahay 11, Lazaro 11, Espinosa 5, Quitevis 2, Porter 2, Ong 0, Gamber 0, Espina 0.
UE 67 – Maga 15, Abate 11, Fikes 9, Lingolingo 8, Galang 8, J. Cruz-Dumont 6, Wilson 4, Spandonis 3, H. Cruz-Dumont 2, Malaga 1, Mulingtapang 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 40-31, 55-51, 71-67.
– Rappler.com
