Ateneo crushes rival La Salle, sweeps first round of elims
The Ateneo Blue Eagles won in a tight match against their long-time rival La Salle Green Archers with 76-75 in the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball held at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
The Eagles' victory over the Archers. Photo from inquirer.net.
The first quarter started with an aggressive 3-point shot from the Green Archers, but Ateneo tied things up with 5 points.
Anton Asistio of the Blue Eagles was on fire, garnering three consecutive trifectas.
The Green Archers narrowed the gap, but to no avail, the Blue Eagles got the double-digit lead they wanted, 28-16.
The second quarter was a rough start for the Green Archers as they tried to get the lead.
According to Martie Bautista, courtside reporter for Ateneo, Coach Tab Baldwin said that this game “is no longer a contest, this is war.”
Meanwhile, Asst. Coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that the boys’ offense is good, but their defense is still lacking so they need to improve it.
The quarter ended with a 7-point lead of 43-36 from the Blue Eagles.
There was more action on the third quarter, as the Green Archers got the feel of the game and Ben Mbala’s aggressive attacks garnered 4 points.
The third quarter ended at 63-62, with Ateneo feeling the pressure.
The last quarter started with the Archers getting back on track with Ricci Rivero’s two consecutive shots.
The energy they lacked on the first quarter burst out on the last with several ties of 69, 71, 73 and 75 points.
At some point in the game, the Archers took the lead with 71-73, but the Eagles counter-attacked and ended with a tie.
With only 3.9 seconds left in the game, Matt Nieto of the Blue Eagles was fouled by Abu Tratter of the Green Archers, gaining two free throws and thus, winning the game.
The game ended with Matt Nieto as the Player of the Game with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Ateneo Blue Eagles remains first in the standings with 7-0, while the Green Archers follows them with 5-2.
This would be the last game for both the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers before the second round of the preliminary which will begin on Oct. 11, Wednesday.
SCORES:
Ateneo (76) – Matt Nieto 16, Asistio 14, Mendoza 10, Ravena 9, Verano 6, Go 4, Tolentino 4, Mike Nieto 4, Black 4, Mamuyac 3, Ikeh 2.
DLSU (75) – Rivero R 19, Mbala 18, Go 11, Rivero P 8, Caracut 5, Paraiso 5, Tratter 4, Montalbo 3, Santillian 2, Gonzales 0.
Quarters: 28-16, 43-36, 63-62, 76-75
