Salva unloaded the last four of his game-high 18 points in the final three minutes to push the Eagles back on top after blowing an eight-point lead, 42-34, in the third quarter.
“The game was not very pretty,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black as the four-time UAAP champions uncharacteristically committed 26 turnovers.
“But as a coach you take it any way you can get it. At least it puts us in a position to win the championship again.”
The Eagles, who ruled the nationwide tournament in three of the last four years, try to go all the way against the Stags at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The Stags are also bidding to become the first NCAA team to cop the title. They made it to the finals with a twice-to-beat advantage after nipping the Eagles in the semifinals.
Earlier, San Beda downed University of Cebu, 82-69, to clinch third place and the P100,000 cash prize and another P100,00 worth of athletic goods for the school.
Rome dela Rosa drilled in 21 points built on a notable 9-of-14 clip from the field and grabbed seven rebounds for the NCAA champion Red Lions.
The Webmasters, who also picked up a P50,000 prize, trailed most of the way even with the 6-foot-10 Junemar Fajardo getting away with 24 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and a couple of blocks.
Salva knocked in 10 points in a third-quarter run that gave the Eagles their biggest lead at 42-34 after a tight first half that saw neither team leading by more than three points.
“He really produced for us offensively on a day when everybody struggled,” said Black. “Nico has been one of our most consistent players this year. He usually plays at a high-post position against the zone defense and he got a lot of his points in that area today.”
Calvin Abueva, San Sebastian’s fiery forward, put the Stags ahead for the last time at 50-48 late in the fourth quarter before fouling out with still a minute to go and the Eagles just up by three, 54-51.
Abueva wound up with a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards for the Stags, who again missed the clutch-shooting Ronald Pascual due to injury.
“I guess we just outlasted them,” said Black.
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 82—Dela Rosa 21, Villahermosa 14, Pontejos 9, Pascual 8, Amer 8, Caram 6, Marcelo 6, Lim 5, Koga 3, Solera 2.
UNIV. OF CEBU 69—Fajardo 24, Heruela 20, Mohammad 14, Bercede 9, Aranas 2, Ocariza 0, Batino 0, Ampoon 0, Pao 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 44-36, 61-50, 82-69
Second Game
ATENEO 56—Salva 18, Ravena 10, Slaughter 7, Long 7, Gonzaga 5, Sumalinog 3, Golla 2, Chua 2, Tiongson 2, Austria 0, Erram 0, Monfort 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 51—Abueva 16, Dela Cruz 11, Sangalang 9, Vitug 9, Del Rio 2, Ferrer 2, Miranda 2, Maiquez 0, Balacunag 0.
Quarters: 11-9, 26-23, 46-39, 56-51