Ateneo found its groove late, but it proved more than enough against a Far Eastern University team that rolled to a quick start.
Raffy Verano and Matt Nieto joined forces in a strong finish as the Blue Eagles got their act together just in time to overcome the Tamaraws, 70-59, as Ateneo clinched the first Final Four berth in UAAP Season 80 at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
For the first three quarters, the Eagles hardly looked the team that went unbeaten in their first eight games before Verano came off the bench to spark a fightback in the fourth quarter where Ateneo outscored FEU, 23-9, on its way to a 10th straight victory.
“We stuck together,” said Matt Nieto, who also had six rebounds. “Fortunately, our shots were falling in the second half.”
Earlier, defending champion La Salle tightened its grip on second spot at 7-2 with an 80-74 victory over Adamson in a potential Final Four matchup.