SUMMARY
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Ateneo forces do-or-die Game 3
Ateneo kept its UAAP title defense going after surviving another late UP surge.
The Blue Eagles lived to fight another day as the defending champions outlasted the Fighting Maroons, 69-66, in Game 2 of the best-of-three men’s basketball finals on Wednesday, May 11.
Ateneo and UP will fight for the crown in the do-or-die Game 3 on Friday, May 13.
(READ: Ateneo solves UP puzzle, forces finals do-or-die)
Preview
After a successful UAAP Season 84 elimination round campaign and a thrilling Final Four escape, the UP Fighting Maroons now find themselves on the cusp of a historic title as they shoot for a sweep of three-time defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, May 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Once undefeated in 39 straight games, the Blue Eagles dynasty now stands on the losing end of its last two meetings with its Katipunan neighbor after Ricci Rivero and the resurgent Zavier Lucero led the Maroons’ shocking overtime comeback, 81-74, for a 1-0 finals lead last Sunday, May 8.
Multi-titled Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin rued his team’s multiple endgame shortcomings after once leading 68-60 with under five minutes left, and vowed that they would “work their tails off” to force a do-or-die Game 3.
Look for veterans such as Dave Ildefonso and Gian Mamuyac to atone for their Game 1 miscues as MVP candidate Ange Kouame continues to shore up both ends of the well-oiled Ateneo system.
Can the Blue Eagles regain their lost momentum with their title defense now pushed to the brink, or will the Maroons finally end a 36-year search for the school’s third basketball championship?
Game 2 tips off at 6 pm, right after the league honors this season’s top individual performers at 5 pm.
– Rappler.com
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