Ateneo stuns FEU via forced OT, books last ticket to finals
The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles stunned the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws after forcing an overtime, 88-84, in game two of the UAAP Season 80 men’s semi-finals at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday. It was a heart-stopping overtime as both teams fought tooth and nail to secure the highly-coveted finals spot. Matt Nieto drained a crucial three-pointer to give the Eagles a five-point lead with 42 seconds left, but Richard Escoto responded with a mid-range shot to cut the Eagle’s lead to three.
Matt Nieto [center] goes for the lay-up as multiple defenders were caught off guard. Photo by Josh Albeda from Rappler
With 22 seconds left on the clock, Eagles’ Isaac Go grabbed a crucial offensive rebound after a missed three-pointer from Matt Nieto, and scored a fade away two-pointer to give them a four-point lead to win the game. Thirdy Ravena led the Katipunan-based squad with 17 points, followed by Matt Nieto and Chibueze Ikeh who both scored 16 markers. Jasper Parker had 19 points for the Tamaraws, while Wendell Comboy added 11 markers. The Tamaraws are eliminated; while the next opponent of the Eagles will be a finals match against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers on Saturday, Nov. 25, at the same venue. Box scores: ADMU 88 – Ravena 17, Nieto Ma 16, Ikeh 16, Go 13, Mendoza 5, Tio 5, Nieto Mi 4, Tolentino 3, Black 3, Mamuyac 2, Verano 2, Porter 2, Asistio 0 FEU 84 – Parker 19, Tolentino 13, Comboy 11, Orizu 10, Escoto 6, Inigo 6, Trinidad 6, Cani 5, Dennison 4, Ebona 2, Tuffin 2, Bayquin 0 Quarter scores: 21-15, 40-33, 57-53, 75-75, 88-84 (OT)