THE CHAMPIONSHIP stays in Katipunan this season, but not with Ateneo. The Blue Eagles’ four peat bid was denied after losing 72-69 to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, in Game 3 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 Men’s Basketball Finals earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Due to the loss, Ateneo ends their season with a 15-3 record with all three losses coming at the hands of the eventual champions UP.
JD Cagulangan’s heroic game-winner proved the difference as his shot ended a 36-year drought for UP and bagged UP’s third Men’s Basketball Championship in the UAAP. Malick Diouf brought home the Finals MVP award in his first season with the Fighting Maroons, as his efforts to contain Ange Kouame secured UP the historic victory.
A turnover-plagued opening quarter saw Ateneo committing eight turnovers, leading to a slow start for the Blue Eagles. Diouf led the way for the Fighting Maroons with nine early points including two slam dunks. A returning CJ Cansino then splashed a three to give UP the 17-11 lead to end the quarter.
Four points from Belangel sparked an 8-0 run for Ateneo to tie the game, 20-20 with 6:57 left in the second quarter. However, UP bounced back with an 8-3 run of their own built on five points from crafty guard Cagulangan. After a stale period from Ateneo offense, Belangel hit the team’s first three of the game to stop the bleeding and end the first half, 27-31, in favor of the Fighting Maroons.
Belangel once again carried the offensive load with two threes and an alley-lay-in to give Ateneo the 39-36 advantage. After a Tamayo layup gave UP the lead back, 45-44, Chris Koon hit an electrifying three from the left corner to finish the third canto, 47-46 for the Blue Eagles.
A turnover from Tamayo paved the way for a perfect Belangel outing from the charity stripe. The Belangel freebiesh gave Ateneo a 59-56 lead with 56.7 remaining in the game. UP rallied yet again off a timeout, as Cansino hit a three off the bank to force the game into overtime, 59-59.
The defending champions refused to back down, as Belangel made two consecutive baskets from Belangel, while Mamuyac hit another triple from the left corner. The clutch buckets gave Ateneo the 69-64 advantage with 1:47 left in overtime.
It was a back-and-forth affair in overtime as neither team refused to give way. Diouf came up big for UP as he slammed home the ball to tie the game. 69-69. With less than a minute left to play, Ateneo’s Dave Ildefonso’s jumper rattled in and out, granting UP the last possession with 14 left on the clock.
With the game on the line, Cagulangan hit the biggest shot of the game—a step-back three over Kouame’s outstretched hands to seal the championship for the Fighting Maroons, 72-69.
The big story for the Blue Eagles was the total 25 costly turnovers committed, which ultimately lost them the title. The Fighting Maroons capitalized on these opportunities en route to capturing the championship they have coveted for three decades.
Belangel had his best game of the season for the Blue Eagles, scoring 27 points and claiming four assists. League MVP Kouame also fought hard despite falling short, recording 12 points and 14 rebounds.
CJ Cansino impressed in his return from action, dropping 14 points for the Fighting Maroons. UP’s young big man and Finals MVP Malick Diouf led his team in scoring with 17 markers and nine boards.
The Loyola-based Blue Eagles now look to bounce back in a few months come Season 85, ready to reclaim the throne when the league comes back in September of this year.
They will have to do so however, without the services of Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio, Jolo Mendoza, and BJ Andrade, who have declared for the Philippine Basketball Association Draft.
Box Score:
Ateneo (69): Belangel – 27, Kouame – 12, Mamuyac – 10, Koon – 6, Verano – 5, Lazaro – 5, Ildefonso – 2, Tio – 2, Andrade – 0, Daves – 0, Chiu – 0
UP (72): Diouf – 17, Cansino – 14, Cagulang – 13, Rivero – 9, Alarcon – 8, Tamayo – 6, Spencer – 5, Lucero – 0, Abadiano – 0, Fortea – 0
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UP: 11-17, 27-31, 47-46, 59-59, 69-72
