STEADY PLAY in the fourth quarter thwarted a comeback from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, as the Ateneo Blue Eagles pulled off a 76-70 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball tournament.
For the second game in a row, Isaac Go hit a game-sealing basket to propel the Blue Eagles to victory. The Ateneo big man scored on a crucial and-one play to put Ateneo ahead by six points with just 10.4 seconds remaining on the clock.
“I have to thank God because without him none of this would be possible,” Go said about his huge basket. “Second, it’s the trust. Thirdy [Ravena] passed me the ball [on that play].” he continued.
Assistant Coach Sandy Arespacochaga echoed Go’s praises for Ravena saying, “I’d like to give a lot of credit to Thirdy. He made a great read and a great pass.”
Ravena was steady for the Blue Eagles for most of the game, finishing with 12 points, six boards, and four assists. Despite suffering a deep cut on his face due to an inadvertent elbow from Ben Mbala in the first half, Matt Nieto still finished with 11 markers and a trio of assists.
His twin brother Mike notched a similar tally of 11 points, all of which came in the second half. Anton Asistio also added ten points, a welcome sign for the sweet-shooting guard who was struggling in recent games.
Aljun Melecio was a huge bright spot for the Green Archers, dropping 24 points with five made from beyond the arc. However, Ricci Rivero was the only other Archer in double-figures with ten markers. UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ben Mbala was limited to a career-low eight points on just seven field goal attempts but grabbed 12 rebounds and dished four assists.
The two collegiate giants traded buckets in the opening minutes until Ateneo found a break, exploding with a 10-0 run highlighted by a Matt Nieto corner triple. The Blue and White bench unit, led by Aaron Black, sparked another 10-1 run to end the period, giving the Blue Eagles a 26-14 lead heading into the second.
The pace of the match began to slow down within the first five minutes of the second quarter, with free throws dotting the possessions of both teams. However, both Ateneo and La Salle caught fire from deep to bump up the intensity. Melecio drained a pair, while Ravena and Tolentino each drained a three. Tempers flared during the second period, with Chibueze Ikeh, Mbala, and Prince Rivero all picking up warnings and technical fouls for taunting.
Anton Asistio looked deadly early in the third, draining a pair of triples that gave Ateneo a 54-46 lead. DLSU clawed their way back to the lead with an 11-2 run capped by a highlight-reel fast break layup by Kib Montalbo. The Blue Eagle bench unit locked down on the defensive end, ending the period with slight edge (60-58).
Mike Nieto waxed hot to begin the final quarter, going on a 7-1 solo run, which was followed up by a Tyler Tio turnaround jumper that granted Ateneo a double-digit advantage, 69-59. Undeterred, La Salle responded with an 11-2 stretch, bannered by Ricci Rivero and Melecio makes from deep.
Thirdy Ravena stopped the bleeding with a putback basket, giving his team a 73-70 lead with 1:16 left in the match. After taking back ball possession with ten seconds remaining, Ravena orchestrated the final blow, finding Go in the paint with the center, then winning the bang and the bucket to seal the win.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles have an opportunity to finish the series and win the championship when they face La Salle in Game 2 on Wednesday, November 29 at 4:00 PM in the Araneta Coliseum.
Quarter Scores
(Ateneo-La Salle): 26-14, 43-39, 60-58, 76-70
Box Scores
Ateneo (76): Ravena – 12, Ma. Nieto – 11, Mi. Nieto – 11, Asistio – 10, Tolentino – 9, Black – 7, Verano – 5, Go – 5, Ikeh – 4, Tio – 2
La Salle (70): Melecio – 24, Rivero – 10, Mbala – 8, Tratter – 7, Santillan – 7, Pr. Rivero – 7, Baltazar – 4, Montalbo – 3
