The Blue Eagle, the university’s adopted symbol since the 1930s (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In the battle between last year’ finals protagonists, the 5-peat seeking Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have once again proven their mastery over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws by winning this year’s first meeting between the top contenders, 74-71. The win was 6th victory of Ateneo in 7 games. Bert Flores-coached FEU fell to 5-2 after the loss.
FEU controlled the first part of the game as they led 21-18 after the first 10 minutes. The Tams continued to outplay the Blue Eagles in the second period as the took a 37-27 lead at the halftime break. The second half, however, was a different story as Ateneo trimmed the deficit to just 4, 49-53 behind the outside sniping of Juami Tiongson and Nico Elorde. Ateneo took its first lead at 56-55 with 7:48 left after Season 74 Finals MVP Nico Salva scored off a pass from Ryan Buenafe. A 13-5 run gave Ateneo a nine point lead at 69-60 going to the final minute of the match. FEU countered with triples from Mark Bringas and RR Gacia sandwiching a split from the line by Buenafe to trim Ateneo’s lead to 70-66. With 39 seconds left, Salva made 2 free throws to up the lead back to six. In the FEU possession, Fil-Am Anthony Hargrove turned the ball over by stepping on the baseline. Ateneo simply held on to the lead by hitting some free throws for the final tally of 74-71.
Greg Slaughter finished the game with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks. Tiongon, Ravena, and Buenafe combined for 34 points. RR Garcia had a great game for FEU, leading all scorers with 21 markers.
Scores.
Ateneo 74 – Slaughter 17, Tiongson 12, Ravena 12, Buenafe 10, Salva 6, Erram 6, Elorde 6, Sumalinog 3, Chua 2, Gonzaga 0, Golla 0
FEU 71 – Garcia 21, Hargrove 12, Romeo 10, A. Bringas 10, M. Bringas 7, Belo 6, Tolomia 3, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 0, Mendoza 0, Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 18-21; 27-37; 49-53; 74-71
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