MANILA – Jared Bahay stepped up in the clutch as Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles edged University of the East Red Warriors, 71-67, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
After losing a 15-point lead and trailing 60-65 late in the fourth quarter, the Blue Eagles responded with two inside baskets from Chris Koon and Andrew Bongo to narrow the gap to 64-65.
Bahay then entered the picture for the Blue Eagles as he connected a three-pointer to give Ateneo a 67-65 lead. After UE knotted the score at 67-all on a Devin Fikes basket, Bahay surged the Blue Eagles ahead anew with a goaltend inside the basket.
Following a missed layup by Red Warriors’ guard Reiner Maga, the Blue Eagles sealed the victory courtesy of two free throw connections by Sean Quitevis with nine seconds left.
Bahay finished the game with 11 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with two rebounds and two assists as the Blue Eagles secured their fourth victory in 13 games.
Bongo led the way for the Blue Eagles with 15 points, Shawn Tuano and Koon added 13 and 12 markers, respectively, while Joshua Lazaro ended with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.
“There is more than pride to play for, but there’s the uniform that we wear and trying to live up to the expectations from us by the community, by our teammates, and by ourselves,” Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin said after the game.
“I am just very happy with the team today because they played with very much effort and resolve,” he added. “When we were not able to jell as much as we wanted, it boiled down to just effort.”
Maga finished with 15 points, while John Abate added 11 markers for the Red Warriors (6-7), which missed the services of Precious Momowei due to a one-game suspension for his ejection in their game against University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers last Saturday.
Meanwhile, National University Bulldogs (5-9) ended their season with a 63-54 upset win over De La Salle University Green Archers (12-2). PJ Palacielo led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Jake Figueroa added 14 points for the Bulldogs./PN
