Ateneo dethrones La Salle, claims 9th UAAP crown
The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles secured their ninth UAAP title after ousting De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 88-86, in their do-or-die match in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday. The Blue Eagles were all about redemption this season as they try to end the five-year title drought in the league and claim the crown from arch-rival La Salle.
Finals MVP Thirdy Ravena sings their school hymn teary-eyed. Photo from Rappler.
Isaac Go’s clutch triple sealed the win for the Katipunan-based squad, 85-80, with 24.7 seconds left. Back-to-back triples from Matt Nieto and Anton Asistio topped by a hook shot from Chibueze Ikeh gave Ateneo a 76-68 advantage. The Green Archers went all out in the third canto, outscoring Ateneo, 28-21, to tie the game at 66-all entering the final frame. Ben Mbala finished with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds for the green and white, while Aljun Melecio and Ricci Rivero chipped in 16 and 14 points apiece. Thirdy Ravena led the way for the Ateneo as he paced with 17 markers, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.
Ikeh and Asistio had 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Ateneo will miss the services of Anton Asistio, Kris Porter, Vince Tolentino and Chibueze Ikeh next season with this game being their last. Box scores:
ADMU 88 — Ravena 17, Ma. Nieto 14, Ikeh 12, Asistio 11, Tolentino 9, Go 7, Verano 6, Mendoza 5, Black 4, Mamuyac 3, Mi. Nieto 0. DLSU 86 — Mbala 19, Melecio 16, R. Rivero 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 11, Tratter 4, Go 3, Montalbo 3, P. Rivero 2, Tero 1, Baltazar 0. Quarter scores:
24-14, 45-38, 66-66, 88-86.