ISAAC GO’S five big points in the fourth quarter propelled Ateneo to a 50-38 win over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws to soar into the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup Finals for the first time since 2011 on Friday, June 29, at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Thirdy Ravena led a balanced attack for Ateneo with seven points. Angelo Kouame added six markers and 15 boards while Raffy Verano and Anton Asistio also chipped in six points apiece.
Prince Orizu was the only double digit scorer for FEU with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. Former Blue Eagle Hubert Cani contributed eight markers while Gilas Cadet Ken Tuffin pitched in seven points.
Ateneo struggled to find their rhythm after the first whistle as they threw up miss after miss to dig a six-point hole midway through the opening frame. FEU took advantage of the Blue Eagles’ cold spell as Cani scored two points to end the first period with the Tamaraws on top, 9-16.
It was more of the same at the start of the second quarter as excellent defense from both squads prevented scoring on both ends. It was the Blue and Whites who overcame their offensive woes first as William Navarro’s hesitation layup sparked a 5-0 run to carry the Blue Eagles to within four points halfway through the second. Matt Nieto ended the half with a corner triple to cut the deficit to one just before the break, 21-22.
[Second Quarter]
Navarro with the hesitation and the finish!
Ateneo 11 FEU 18#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/LTRWk1mOwR
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) June 29, 2018
Dishing quickly and working off the ball, Ravena and Verano combined for five straight points to put Ateneo in the driver’s seat with their first lead of the night, 28-24. However, FEU fired right back, unleashing a quick 6-0 run to reclaim a two-point lead. Matt Nieto’s free throws ended the third frame in a deadlock, 30-30.
[Third Quarter]
Verano’s steal leads to a Thirdy breakaway! Timeout FEU! 5:14 left in the third frame.
Ateneo 28 FEU 24#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/XzThhSaiio
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) June 29, 2018
Defense continued to be the name of the game with both teams scoring a combined two points in the first half of the payoff period. Go finally broke the dry spell for Ateneo, hitting an open fastbreak-triple and hustling for a putback to put the Blue Eagles on top, 36-31. At this point, the high-octane Ateneo offense came to life, burying the Tamaraws shot after shot to extend the lead to double digits with less than two minutes remaining. Ravena’s free throws sealed the final score, 50-38.
[Fourth Quarter]
Isaac Go snatches the rebound and scores! It’s a five point lead now for Ateneo!
Ateneo 36 FEU 31#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/geA7bu1jqf
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) June 29, 2018
[Fourth Quarter]
Matt Nieto finds a rolling Kouame for the easy two! Ateneo opens up the first double digit lead of the game!
Ateneo 48 FEU 38#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/ixxmw5JjyK
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) June 29, 2018
After the game, Assistant Coach Sandy Arespacochaga commented on the good and the bad takeaways from the game, saying, “We had a tendency to go one-on-one when the team got frustrated, [but] we stepped up defensively even though our offense was bad.”
Asked whether he was surprised with the low scoring outcome of the match, he said, “This is the kind of ugly game we like. I thought we played good defense in the first half, and we were in the game mainly because of our [defense]. But our players had another gear on defense [in the second half].”
Go also shared his thoughts on playing a familiar rival in FEU. “It’s a challenge. They’re a good team with good coaching and great players. Every time they step on the floor, they give their best; and it pushes us to give our best. Through them, it helps us grow more as a team.”
Arespacochaga is now looking forward to playing in the championship game, citing it as a huge learning experience for the team. “It’s another opportunity to learn. We’re thankful that we’re in this position, and we’ll make the most out of it by learning a lot,” he shared.
The team will now be “conducting sleep”, in the words of Arespacochaga, as they prepare for the championship game against reigning NCAA Champions San Beda University Red Lions tomorrow, June 30, 6:00 pm, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 9-16, 21-22, 30-30, 50-38
Box Score:
Ateneo (50): Ravena – 7, Kouame – 6, Asistio – 6, Verano – 6, Matt Nieto – 5, Navarro – 5, Go – 5, Mike Nieto – 4, Belangel – 3, Maagdenberg – 3, Wong – 0, Tio – 0, White – 0, Mamuyac – 0, Black – 0, Mendoza – 0
FEU (38): Orizu – 11, Cani – 8, Tuffin – 7, Escoto – 4, Iñigo – 4, Tolentino – 3, Stockton – 1, Comboy – 0, Parker – 0, Eboña – 0, Gonzales – 0, Bienes – 0, Ramirez – 0
