MANILA, Philippines—Everything had been going Ateneo’s way recently. And after a vengeful, form-validating victory over a fierce rival, there seemed to be nothing that could stop the Eagles from soaring even higher.
But then came the Warriors.
James Martinez nailed clutch triples in the final stretch as University of the East pulled off a 62-60 stunner Thursday that stalled Ateneo’s bid to officially nail a Final Four berth in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Martinez knocked in 18 of his game-high 22 points from beyond the arc as the Warriors kept their flickering hopes for a semifinal berth alive.
“We treated this game like there’s no tomorrow,” said coach Lawrence Chongson after the sixth-running Warriors climbed to 4-7 and snapped the Eagles’ six-game winning streak.
“Everyone’s aware that, mathematically, we still have a chance at the Final Four, so we just took care of what we can take care of.”
Earlier, Adamson blasted a demoralized and depleted University of the Philippines squad, 74-51, to clinch at least a playoff for a semifinal slot.
Alex Nuyles and Roider Cabrera combined for 27 points as the Falcons picked up their eighth triumph in 11 games to tie the Blue Eagles anew at second.
“It was a bonus for us; we’re expected to win because UP lost four key players,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “But right from the start, I told the boys not to relax because we’re still not in the Final Four.”
Only the Far Eastern University Tamaraws have claimed a Final Four berth with a league-best 9-1 record.
And it’s like not that the Blue Eagles aren’t there yet. With four games to go, only a miracle can keep Ateneo from actually tabbing one of the three remaining slots in the semifinals.
Still, it was a statement game for the Warriors.
Martinez shot nine of the Warriors’ last 12 points, including a triple that gave UE a 61-57 advantage with 1:51 minutes left.
The Eagles moved within a point on free throws by Eric Salamat and Emman Monfort, 61-60, and even had a chance to win the game after the Warriors failed to convert in their last possession.
But Ateneo’s Kirk Long missed a potential game-winner before UE’s Paul Lee swiped the ball off Frank Golla, who had grabbed the offensive rebound, in the dwindling seconds.
A Lee foul shot with four-tenths of a second remaining sealed the win for the Warriors, who held Ateneo to its lowest scoring output this season.
The Eagles posted a dismal scoring percentage of 27.7 after an impressive shooting performance in their 74-57 rout of the Green Archers last Sunday.
“We know everyone in school is showing their disgust,” said Chongson, whose Warriors struggled this season, just a year after a runner-up finish. “I actually thought of quitting, but then again, there’s a job to be done.”
The Maroons’ 11th straight loss was the second most lopsided decision this season. They absorbed a 25-point beating from the Eagles, 78-53, three weeks ago.
In women’s action, Gretchie Roque had 17 points and 12 rebounds to power the defending champion Lady Falcons to their 10th straight triumph, 81-64, against the Lady Bulldogs (3-7).
Joy Ong led La Salle’s balanced charge with 13 markers as the Lady Archers downed the winless Lady Warriors, 84-63, to keep third (7-3) behind idle Far Eastern U (9-1). Photo by Mark Giongco
The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 74—Nuyles 14, Cabrera 13, Cañada 12, Lozada 11, Colina 6, Manyara 4, Camson 4, Etrone 2, Alvarez 3, Monteclaro 2, Galinato 2, Stinnett 0, Rios 0, Olalia 0, Brondial 0.
UP 51—Sison 20, Juruena 7, Reyes Ma. 6, Maniego 6, Manuel 5, Reyes Mi. 3, Saret 2, Gomez 2, Pascual 0, Evangelista 0, Hipolito 0, Gingerich 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 43-16, 58-35, 74-51
Second Game
UE 62—Martinez 22, Rosopa 12, Lee 9, Acibar 7, Reyes 6, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Zamar 0, Sumido 0, Duran 0.
ATENEO 60—Salamat 16, Escueta 10, Monfort 9, Chua 9, Buenafe 5, Long 4, Dela Cruz 3, Tiongson 2, Golla 2, Salva 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 10-8, 27-27, 38-45, 62-60
First Game
ADAMSON 74—Nuyles 14, Cabrera 13, Cañada 12, Lozada 11, Colina 6, Manyara 4, Camson 4, Etrone 2, Alvarez 3, Monteclaro 2, Galinato 2, Stinnett 0, Rios 0, Olalia 0, Brondial 0.
UP 51—Sison 20, Juruena 7, Reyes Ma. 6, Maniego 6, Manuel 5, Reyes Mi. 3, Saret 2, Gomez 2, Pascual 0, Evangelista 0, Hipolito 0, Gingerich 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 43-16, 58-35, 74-51
Second Game
UE 62—Martinez 22, Rosopa 12, Lee 9, Acibar 7, Reyes 6, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Zamar 0, Sumido 0, Duran 0.
ATENEO 60—Salamat 16, Escueta 10, Monfort 9, Chua 9, Buenafe 5, Long 4, Dela Cruz 3, Tiongson 2, Golla 2, Salva 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 10-8, 27-27, 38-45, 62-60
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