Ateneo upsets La Salle, remains unconquered in UAAP basketball's first round

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles prevailed as an undefeated team in the first round of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament, 7-0, after outlasting the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 76-75, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

DLSU started at a disadvantage, with ADMU swinging in a 12-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Green Archers fought back during the next two quarters, cutting the Eagles’ lead down to only one point to finish the third quarter.

Ateneo Blue Eagles celebrate their triumph over La Salle Green Archers. Photo by Arvin Lim of ABS CBN.

Both teams exhausted their effort until the last three seconds, with Matt Nieto banking two freebies to seal the match for Ateneo

Archer Ben Mbala tried to give a game-winning shot but found himself surrounded by 3 defenders and was unable to put up a shot as the timer expired.

Matt Nieto and Anton Asistion led the Eagles with 16 and 14 markers, respectively.

Ricci Rivero paced DLSU with game-high 19 points while Mbala added a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.

ADMU continued its winning streak, 7-0, while DLSU stays behind with a 5-2 record. M.D. D.G. Baleros

Box scores:

ADMU 76 – Nieto Ma 16, Asistio 14, Mendoza 10, Ravena 9, Verano 6, Go 4, Tolentino 4, Nieto Mi 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

Quarter scores:

28-16, 43-36, 63-62, 76-75