UE keeps hopes afloat, boosts Ateneo bonus bid

UE’s Chris Javier stops a shot attempt by UST’s Ed Daquioag. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The race for the twice-to-beat incentive got a makeover, after a shock victory by University of the East and a win by Ateneo later in the day put the Blue Eagles firmly in the hunt for the Final Four bonus.

Trying to keep its own semifinal hopes above water, the Warriors got a welcome surprise from seldom-used forward Clark Derige, who fired 26 points built on 10-of-18 shooting to spearhead UE to a 91-77 rout of the Tigers.

“As I’ve told the players, we needed to play with urgency because we know we still have a shot at a Final Four spot,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren. “We were consistent. We knew they were going to come back, but I’m glad at the way the boys responded.”

The win upped UE’s record to 4-7 and allowed the Warriors to keep idle fourth placer La Salle in sight.

But more than keeping themselves in the math for a Final Four slot, the Warriors loosened the Tigers’ hold of the No. 2 spot, with Ateneo now just a game behind in a chase for one of the two twice-to-beat berths.

The Eagles narrowed the gap with a 74-65 victory over host University of the Philippines in the second game.

Ateneo, two games out of the top two at the start of the day, sewed up its eighth win in 12 outings and now stands just a game behind UST’s 9-3 card. Idle Far Eastern U still leads the pack with a 10-1 slate and needs just one more win to formally clinch the semifinal bonus.

“What we have right now is a chance,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol after the game on the twice-to-beat incentive. “We’re actually happy with our situation. We still know what needs to be done.”

The Eagles, who were coming off a long break, formally clinched a Final Four berth with the victory with the last semifinal slot to be disputed by La Salle, UE and UP.

The scores:

First Game

UE 91—Derige 26, Javier 13, Abanto 10, P. Varilla 10, Batiller 9, Charcos 8, Manalang 6, Palma 4, Gagate 2, J. Varilla 2, Sta. Ana 1.

UST 77—Abdul 25, Dacqouiag 11, Ferrer 10, Vigil 9, Lee 9, Lao 6, Sheriff 4, Bonleon 2, Subido 1, Garrido 0.

Quarters: 20-15, 39-38, 62-52, 91-77

Second Game

ATENEO 74—Ravena 16, Wong 14, A. Tolentino 8, Ikeh 6, Gotladera 6, Pessumal 5, Nieto 5, Babilonia 4, Capacio 4, Black 2, V. Tolentino 2, Go 2, Black 2.

UP 65—Dario 13, Amar 11, Manuel 10, Desiderio 8, Kone 7, Moralde 4, Harris 4, Vito 4, Gallarza 2, Lim 2, Asilum 0, Jureuna 0, Longa 0, Jaboneta 0.

Quarters: 19-11, 45-26, 54-44, 74-65