MANILA, Philippines – The Eagles have landed in the Final Four.
The Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles are back in the Final Four after trampling the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 67-52, on Saturday, September 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena, putting themselves in prime position to snatch one of the twice-to-beat advantages in the men’s basketball tournament of UAAP Season 77.
With the win, Ateneo returns to the Final Four after missing out last year where they ended up in 5th place. The 5-time champions, who hold a 10-3 record, have a chance to wind up in first place if they win their last elimination game against current first placers FEU (10-2) on Saturday. Regardless of a tie, Ateneo will take the top spot due to superior quotient.
“Masaya (We’re happy) but we’re not satisfied yet,” Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol said of their return to the Final Four. “We agreed that we’re going to go all the way this year. It sounds cliché but I really believe we can do that.”
He added, “I know that we can, I believe that we can, that’s why we’re here. We’re still aiming for the top two spots.”
The Eagles, led by top MVP candidate Kiefer Ravena’s 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, shrugged off a cold start, where they scored only 10 points in the opening period, before eventually breaking the game wide open with a 26-point fourth quarter assault.
Ateneo shot horribly from the field in the first half and went 7-of-30. But Adamson was worse with 6-of-27 first half shooting.
But the Eagles’ defense kicked in come the third period along with some offense steadily coming to fore.
“I was a bit apprehensive because this is our third game in 7 days and our energy was waning. It’s a good thing our defense kicked in in the third,” Perasol said.
Chris Newsome dropped 6 of his total 12 points in the final frame and secured 10 rebounds as well as made 6 assists.
Von Pessumal added 8 markers and tracked down 9 rebounds for an Ateneo squad that notched its biggest lead at 21, 56-35, with 4:30 remaining in the game.
Adamson, who held their own in rebounding this time, down only 42-41, tried to spark a late run and came as close as 60-47 with two minutes to go but ultimately couldn’t complete the attempt as they remained winless in 13 games.
The Eagles bested the Falcons in assists by 17-7 and were more efficient from the line going 21-of-29.
Celedonio Trollano was once again the only Falcon in double figures with 20 points along with 5 boards. Jansen Rios and Joseph Nalos contributed 9 and 6 points, respectively.
Scores
Ateneo (67): K. Ravena 16, Newsome 12, Pessumal 8, Capacio 6, Elorde 6, Gotladera 6, Tolentino 6, Asistio 3, Doliguez 2, Porter 2, Apacible 0, Babilonia 0, T. Ravena 0.
Adamson (52): Trollano 20, Rios 9, Nalos 6, Aquino 4, Monteclaro 4, Ochea 4, Garcia 3, Villanueva 2, Barrera 0, Iñigo 0, Pedrosa 0, Polican 0.
Quarter scores: 10-4, 23-16, 41-31, 67-52.
– Rappler.com
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