Ateneo secures Final Four berth, dims UP’s slim semis hopes

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo assured itself of a Final Four berth after beating University of the Philippines, 74-65, in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Kiefer Ravena collected 16 points, three rebounds and five assists for the Blue Eagles, who climbed to 8-4 and are now only a game behind University of Santo Tomas for the second spot after the Growling Tigers’ loss to the University of the East Red Warriors earlier.

After an ugly nine-point third quarter, going 3-for-8 from the field, Ateneo came alive in the fourth quarter. Rookie Adrian Wong contributed nine of the Eagles’ 21 points in the final period. Wong pumped in 14 points.

“We’re looking forward to starting well in the third and end strong in the fourth,” said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol after his team joined Far Eastern University and UST in the semifinals.

Wong pushed Ateneo’s lead to 14, 69-55, with a three-pointer at the 3:01 mark as the Blue Eagles got back in complete control of the game.

Perasol said UP’s up-and-down pace caused his team’s problems in the third quarter.

“They had a faster pace than us and we couldn’t break their press,” Perasol said.

Diego Dario led UP with 13 points but shot 5-of-17 from the field.

The Fighting Maroons slid to seventh with a 3-8 record with only three games left in the elimination round.