Ateneo nails first finals berth

Ateneo bounced back big from its first loss in four years.

The Blue Eagles regained their dominating form in the UAAP Final Four to blast the FEU Tamaraws, 85-72, and claim the first UAAP championship berth on Wednesday, May 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo will go for a fourth straight crown against UP or La Salle, the two other semifinalists who will battle in a winner-take-all match on Friday.

The Blue Eagles – who saw their 39-game winning streak come to an end against UP last Sunday – found their groove late in the first half against the Tamaraws, before erecting a double-digit cushion they protected the rest of the way.

(READ: Ateneo vents ire on FEU, clinches fifth straight UAAP finals berth for 4-peat bid)

Preview

Ateneo seeks to return to the winning track in UAAP Season 84 and earn a fifth straight finals appearance as it faces FEU in the Final Four at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 4.

The Blue Eagles missed out on a sweep of the elimination round and an outright finals berth following a heartbreaking 83-84 loss to UP on Sunday.

Despite seeing its 39-game winning streak come to a screeching halt, Ateneo still owns a twice-to-beat advantage after claiming the top seed and needs just one win to advance to the finals.

The winners of the last three UAAP titles, the Blue Eagles are touted as heavy favorites in the Final Four clash, but the Tamaraws are no pushovers as proven by their string of recent victories.

FEU won four of its last five games – including a stunner against No. 3 seed La Salle – to secure the last semifinals berth.

Tip off is 6 pm.

– Rappler.com