THE ATENEO de Manila University Blue Eagles leaned on the clutch shotmaking of Matt Nieto and Isaac Go to win against the Far Eastern University in overtime, 88-84, and clinched a spot in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball finals yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Down three after Cebuano guard Jasper Parker made a layup and canned two free-throws with nine seconds left, Ateneo big man Isaac Go swished a three-pointer from straightaway to tie the game up at 75-all.
In overtime, Nieto just took over as he scored on a tough pull-up jumper before draining one from downtown to put Ateneo up by five, 85-80, with 52 seconds left.
Off a timeout, FEU forward Richard Escoto quickly scored on a long two to trim the deficit to three, 82-85. But the scrappy Go responded with a tough two-pointer while grabbing the offensive rebound on his knees to boost Ateneo’s lead back to five, 87-82, with just 24 seconds left.
Ateneo will next meet bitter rivals and the reigning champions, De La Salle University Green Archers in the best-of-three finals starting this Saturday.
Thirdy Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Nieto and Chiz Ikeh had 16 markers each, the latter grabbing 11 rebounds. Go finished with 13 points and nine boards.
The Tamaraws got 19 points from Parker, who once played and won a Cesafi championship with Southwestern University-Phinma. Arvin Tolentino added 13, Wendell Comboy put up 11 while Prince Orizu chipped in 10 before fouling out in the fourth.
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