Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo survived Far Eastern University, 88-84, in overtime to book the last finals slot in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles leaned on Matt Nieto and Isaac Go in the endgame to overcome a gallant stand by the fourth-seeded Tamaraws.
The No. 1 Blue Eagles set up a best-of-three finals rematch with the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers beginning Saturday.
Go sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer, 75-all, with 8.5 seconds left in regulation.
Nieto followed suit in the extra session.
The gritty point guard punished Arvin Tolentino for five straight points first with a short jumper that gave Ateneo an 82-80 lead with 1:30 left in overtime.
He then, unleashed a booming triple with 46.9 seconds left that put the Blue Eagles up, 85-80.
Go closed things out in improbable fashion, hitting a bank shot on one knee with 22.5 seconds remaining for an 87-82 edge.
Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said FEU’s 7-7 record in the elimination round was never a factor and that they expected to play a give-and-take game for 40 minutes.
“We were ready to play a close game and that’s what happened, of course credit to our players who never gave up and stayed focus and stuck to the game plan,” said Arespacochaga.
“There were ups and downs but what a great game and we’re happy that our players experienced that. We could see their growth in the game.”
FEU had an eight-point, 67-59, lead midway through the fourth after Prince Orizu forced his way inside for a layup but Ateneo slowly cut it down and eventually tied the game at 69 with 3:41 left in regulation after Mike Nieto drilled a three-pointer.
Thirdy Ravena paced Ateneo with 17 points and seven rebounds while Chibueze Ikeh had a 16-point and 11-rebound double-double.
Matt also finished with 16 points, six coming off the overtime period, while Go had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Jasper Parker had a game-high 19 points to lead to the Tamaraws while Tolentino added 13 points.