Ateneo claims championship title, dethrones La Salle
The Ateneo Blue Eagles soared above their archrival De La Salle Green Archers in the third game of their finals match held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
Photo from Inquirer
This was a rematch between the two teams since last season, La Salle and Ateneo also faced each other in the finals round, with the Archers emerging victorious.
Now, with the score of 88-86, Ateneo claimed its ninth UAAP basketball title as it dethroned De La Salle in the close match.
Thirdy Ravena was named as the Finals Most Valuable Player with 17 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
The combined team effort that was started by Ravena, Chibueze Ikeh, and the Blue Eagles gave them a 10-point advantage over La Salle in the first quarter, with the Eagles’ lead continuing until the second
quarter, 45-38.
However, the Archers rallied and tried to capture the lost points and managed to tie the score by the third quarter, 66-all.
Ben Mbala from De La Salle gave their team a boost by upping against the tie, but Ateneo’s team effort was still on the roll, leaving La Salle in the 80-70 lead.
Seconds leading up to the end of the game was a close contest as La Salle managed to get closer until they were two points away from Ateneo’s, if not for Isaac Go sending a three that improved the Eagles’ lead with only less than 30 seconds left in the final quarter.
By the end of the final quarter, La Salle’s triples during the last seconds were ineffective with Ateneo taking home the title with two points higher the La Salle’s, 88-86.
Ben Mbala led the Green Archers with 19 points and 14 rebounds, with Aljun Melecio contributing 16 points and Ricci Rivero giving 14 points.
Following Ravena, Matt Nieto gave 14 points, Ikeh contributed 12 and Anton Asistio with 11 points.
This game definitely ended Ikeh, Vince Tolentino and Kris Porter’s UAAP career on a high note.
SCORES:
Ateneo (88) – Ravena 17, Matt Nieto 14, Ikeh 12, Asistio 11, Tolentino 9, Go 7, Verano 6, Mendoza 5, Black 4, Mamuyac 3, Mike Nieto 0.
DLSU (86) – Mbala 19, Melecio 16, Ricci Rivero 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 11, Tratter 4, Go 3, Montalbo 3, Prince Rivero 2, Tero 1, Baltazar 0.
QUARTERS: 24-14, 45-38, 66-66, 88-86.
