UAAP: Also-ran Ateneo thwarts Final Four hopeful UE

Ateneo Blue Eagles during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against UE Red Warriors. -UAAP PHOTO

Eliminated Ateneo refused to easily let University of the East move on to Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

The Blue Eagles added to the woes of the Red Warriors with a 71-67 victory on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

“I was just very happy with the team today because they played with so much effort and resolve,” coach Tab Baldwin said.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“When you haven’t been able to gel as well as we would like to as a team throughout the year, it really comes down to effort, and I think the guys, they spoke as a team and with a lot of people saying you know, it’s a lost season, or a failed [season], they don’t feel that way. They feel that every game is important.”

With a fourth consecutive loss, UE slid to the No. 4 spot with a similar 6-7 (win-loss) record with the Growling Tigers.

UST moved up to the third spot by virtue of its head-to-head matches against UE, which despite the loss still earned a playoff for the Final Four spot.

Andrew Bongo finished with 15 points and Shawn Tuano added 13 points. Chris Koon and Josh Lazaro each chipped in a double-double. Koon finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Lazaro contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds.

READ: UAAP: Tab Baldwin hopes Ateneo can finish Season 87 strong

Ateneo held a 15-point advantage before halftime which it squandered as UE relentlessly fought to try and turn the tables on the Eagles. In the fourth quarter, the Warriors closed in, 60-58.

Jack Cruz-Dumont sank a layup to finally give UE the lead as Rainer Maga, who topscored for the Red Warriors with 15 points, hit a trey, 65-52. Jared Bahay, who also had 11 points, nailed a clutch step back triple to give Ateneo the lead again, 67-65.

“I’m happy being able to make the shots and coach Tab trusting me to take those shots is a big confidence booster to me,” Bahay said. “My mindset, still trusting myself and having confidence to take those shots kasi I know myself that I can make those shots and with the blessing of coach Tab to take it, I made those.”

Devin Fikes fought through contact for a layup and tied the game before Bahay’s spin move to a finger roll that Fikes ended up goaltending. With 8.5 seconds remaining, Sean Quitevis made both of his shots from the line to ice the game.

John Abate came up with 11 points while Fikes, who tried to fill in the shoes left by suspended big man Precious Momowei, finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Ateneo, which broke a three-game losing streak, can end the season on a high note as they wrap the elimination round against Final Four hopeful Adamson on Nov. 23.

UE looks to fan the flame of its semifinal bid against No. 2 University of the Philippines on Nov. 20, both at FilOil EcoOil Centre.