DESPITE A superb first quarter, the Ateneo Blue Eagles yielded to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 82-93, in the second game of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball finals on Wednesday, November 29, at the Araneta Coliseum.
DLSU used a second half surge with their “Mayhem” defense to overcome a sizable first half hole, restraining the Blue Eagles to eight points in the third quarter.
The Ateneo loss ties the the best-of-three finals series to 1-1, forcing a do-or-die match on Sunday, December 3, 4:00PM at the Araneta Coliseum.
Thirdy Ravena led the Blue Eagles in scoring yet again, dropping 20 points on 5/10 shooting from the field. Aaron Black scored nine of his 15 points in the final period, while Anton Asistio added 13 including a trio of triples.
Ben Mbala bounced back from his quiet performance in the first match with a dominant display on both ends of the floor. He scored 20, grabbed 16 rebounds, plus a pair of steals and four blocks. Ricci Rivero scored 18 on an efficient 8/11 shooting clip despite four fouls in the first half, while Andrei Caracut added 13 markers.
Asistio waxed hot from deep to begin the match, outscoring the whole of La Salle by his lonesome with three triples. The Blue Eagles extended their lead to 14 after a Ravena three and free throw, 25-11. Jolo Mendoza padded the Ateneo lead with a triple late in the period, 32-15.
Midway through the second, Ravena extended the Blue Eagles lead to 21,–the largest of the game–after an and-1 conversion and no-look assist to Isaac Go, 45-24. Melecio’s hot shooting helped La Salle cut down their deficit in towards the end of second period to single digits, 53-44.
The Green Archers ramped up their defensive intensity in the ensuing period. They limited the Blue Eagles to just eight points in the quarter, and claimed the lead in the process. DLSU’s tight defense forced seven Ateneo turnovers during the period, while Ricci Rivero scored eight points in five minutes. La Salle successfully reversed their deficit by the third quarter buzzer, 59-68.
Black kept the Blue Eagles afloat in the fourth, scoring nine points in the first five minutes, including a crucial block on Ricci Rivero. The Green Archers, however, kept their offense chugging with responses to each Blue Eagle basket. La Salle clamped down on defense in the remaining minutes for the 92-83 victory.
After the game, Assistant Coach Sandy Arescapochaga said that the team cannot dwell on the heartbreaking loss. “In life, if you focus on ‘yung sayang, you might miss the next opportunity that you have,” he explained. “We have another opportunity on Sunday.”
Quarter Scores (Ateneo-DLSU): 32-15, 51-42, 59-68, 83-92
Box Score:
Ateneo (83): Ravena – 20, Black – 15, Asistio – 13, Go – 11, Nieto Ma. – 10, Ikeh – 6, Mendoza – 5, Tolentino – 2, Tio – 1
La Salle (92): Mbala – 20, Rivero R. – 18, Caracut – 13, Melecio – 12, Montalbo – 9, Santillan – 8, Rivero P. – 8, Tratter – 4
