The Blue Eagles improved their league-leading record to 11-2 and gave the second-seeded Adamson University Falcons (10-3) the other Final Four perk.
La Salle, meanwhile, dropped to 8-5 slate and stayed in third spot.
Earlier, Far Eastern University put down National U, 79-74, to likewise sweep their season series and tied University of the Philippines in fourth at 7-6.
With neither team taking control for most of the game, the Eagles went on an 11-2 run to take a 71-58 lead with Thirdy Ravena’s triple capping off the furious rally with 2:09 left.
Sans big men Angelo Kouame, Isaac Go, and Raffy Verano who fell into foul trouble, Ateneo couldn’t keep up with La Salle at the onset.
Fortunately for the Eagles, seldom-used William Navarro stepped in and his seven first-half points proved helped Ateneo level with La Salle at the interval, 35-all.
“Second quarter was pivotal for us actually because we stepped up defensively and William Navarro did a great job for us especially when our big guys got into foul trouble,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Go figured in Ateneo’s scoring spurt in the third quarter when his three-pointer capped off a 7-0 run, 15 seconds before the final period, that gave the Blue Eagles a 54-50 lead.
Thirdy Ravena led Ateneo’s charge with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks off the bench while Kouame finished with 11 points and 10 boards. —BONG LOZADA, INQUIRER.NET
The scores:
First Game
FEU 79—Tolentino 16, Tuffin 15, Gonzales 9, Stockton 7, Parker 6, Inigo 6, Orizu 6, Bienes 5, Ebona 4, Comboy 3, Bayquin 2, Cani 0, Escoto 0.
NU 74—Clemente 38, Ildefonso D 12, Diputado 4, Yu 4, Rike 2, Aquino 2, Tibayan 2, Galinato 2, Gallego 2, Salim 2, Gaye 2, Ildefonso S 1, Malonzo 1, Joson 0, Sinclair 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 44-28, 69-61, 79-74
Second Game
ATENEO 71—Ravena 14, Kouame 11, Verano 9, Navarro 7, Nieto Mi 7, Nieto Ma 6, Tio 5, Mamuyac 5, Asistio 3, Go 3, Daves 1, Mendoza 0, Wong 0.
LA SALLE 62—Melecio 13, Baltazar 12, Santillan 10, Caracut 8, Samuel 8, Manuel 5, Montalbo 2, Bates 2, Serrano 2, Go 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 35-35, 54-50, 71-62