Ateneo clinches Final Four spot, dominates NU | Inquirer Sports

Ateneo clinches Final Four spot, dominates NU

By: - Reporter / @BLozadaINQ
/ 04:01 PM October 27, 2018

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo punched its ticket to the Final Four after brushing National University aside, 79-64, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The league-leading Blue Eagles cruised to their fourth straight win for a 9-2 record and in the process sent the Bulldogs to a miserable 3-7 slate in the seventh spot.

Article continues after this advertisement

NU’s chances of entering the semifinals now hang by a thread.

FEATURED STORIES

Ateneo started the game with a 10-0 spurt and the defending champion never looked back.

The Blue Eagles went on a blistering 22-9 run in the second quarter to take a 44-20 lead after Thirdy Ravena’s free throw.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that even though the Final Four was within arm’s length, they never looked that far ahead and instead focused on the Bulldogs.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We didn’t look into the Final Four and we were just focusing on NU,” said Arespacochaga. “We didn’t look beyond this game and that was the key point for us.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Arespacochaga added that their strong start to the game was of key importance for them especially when the Bulldogs went on several runs in the second half.

The Bulldogs managed to cut Ateneo’s lead to 12 points, 55-43, after Dave Yu’s three but the defending champions were able to hold off any stronger advances from NU.

Article continues after this advertisement

Raffy Verano made it a 20-point game, 71-51, early in the fourth with a layup and that effectively crushed any hope the Bulldogs had in the game.

“Having a strong start means a lot,” said Arespacochaga. “NU won’t roll over and die so we’ll keep on fighting so when they made the runs it was good that we already had that good cushion.”

Ravena tied his career-high of 23 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the Blue Eagles while Angelo Kouame had a 19-point, 17-rebound double-double.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

John Lloyd Clemente carried NU with 25 points, on 10-of-17 shooting, with eight rebounds while Dave Ildefonso struggled on the floor with 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

TAGS: Ateneo Blue Eagles, National University Bulldogs, Sports, Thirdy Ravena, UAAP Season 81

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.