MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles made its way to the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball finals via an 85-72 beating of Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the Final Four last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Bryan Andrade spearheaded the offense for the Blue Eagles with 16 points, while Bacolodnon Samjosef Belangel dropped 14 markers, all in the second half.
Gian Mamuyac chipped in 12 markers. Dave Ildefonso contributed 11 points. Ateneo entered the finals for the fifth straight time while aspiring for the fourth consecutive UAAP title.
From a 16-all score after the opening quarter, the Blue Eagles pulled away in the second period behind conversions from Andrade and Mamuyac for a 49-33 halftime lead.
The Blue Eagles continued its run in the second half with Belangel dropping 10 points in the third quarter alone as the lead reached its largest at 21 points.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University Green Archers lived to fight another day after an 83-80 escape over University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the other semis series.
It was still a near disaster for the Green Archers, however, after the Fighting Maroons chopped down their once 22-point edge to 78-81 via five straight points by Ilonggo rookie Gerry Abadiano.
Evan Nelle extended DLSU’s lead to 82-78 via a split free throw with 12 seconds left. After a horrible miss by UP’s Ricci Rivero in the next play, Nelle wrapped up the win for the Green Archers with another freebie.
Nelle tallied career-high 26 points, including five triples, Justine Baltazar had double-double 15 points and 18 rebounds, while Kurt Lojera chipped in 11 markers for the Green Archers.
The do-or-die game between the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroon is slated on Friday night. UP only needs to win once to enter the finals due to its twice-to-beat edge./PN
