Host school UST ends season with another loss to Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Ateneo Blue Eagles continued their hot run towards the end of the UAAP Season 79 elimination round by defeating the UST Growling Tigers, 74-64, for their fifth win in a row on Saturday, November 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

While Ateneo improved to 9-4 and put itself in a good position for the number two seed in the Final Four, UST, this year’s host school, finished its season with a 3-11 record in the final games of the departing Louie Vigil, Kent Lao, and Jan Sheriff.

It was a close game up until the final period, where big 3-pointers by Mike Nieto and Anton Asistio provided the separation needed by the Blue Eagles to put away the Growling Tigers.

It was the third straight victory by Ateneo over UST, and the fifth Blue Eagles win against the Growling Tigers in their last 6 meetings.

Isaac Go finished with 15 points and 4 rebounds to lead Ateneo, while Nieto pitched in 13 points and 6 boards. Vince Tolentino also played well with a near double-double of 11 points and 9 boards.

Vigil, who fouled out late in the fourth quarter, led UST with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Marvin Lee and Sheriff pitched in 9 points apiece.

Ateneo is aiming to hold off 8-4 FEU, which faces 12-1 La Salle on Saturday, and 7-5 Adamson for the remaining twice-to-beat seed. 

The Blue Eagles’ remaining game in the eliminations is against the Soaring Falcons. – Rappler.com