UAAP: Warriors end Final Four chase as Eagles shut down Sumang late 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles rallied from a double-digit deficit to knock the University of the East Red Warriors out of the UAAP Season 76 Final Four race, 77-72, strengthening their postseason chances in turn, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Eagles (7-5) rebounded from a 66-64 loss against the DLSU Green Archers last week and have now won six of their last seven games. The Red Warriors (6-7), however, lost their fourth straight game and will miss the postseason for the fourth straight year since 2009.

[Review the play-by-play of this game here]

Assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that his players might've been shaky in the first half owing to "gigil" coming into the game. However, he credited their second half adjustments for the win.

"We gave up too many points in the first half, so we played better defense on Roi Sumang, specifically. The players stepped up on defense and we were able to follow the defensive game plan that coach Bo [Perasol] wanted us to do," he said.

Arespacochaga took over head coaching duties from Bo Perasol today as the latter was hit with a one-game ban following his run-in with a La Salle fan after last week's loss. According to him though, the suspension didn't have any adverse effects on the team's performance today. "We have a veteran group of guys who know what this home stretch is about," said Arespacochaga.

Deep into the fourth quarter and facing a 10-point deficit, Gino Jumao-as' penetration, combined with pressure defense from the Warriors, netted UE seven straight points, 72-69. The Eagles gave up the ball for the third straight time and Roi Sumang went for a layup. However, he missed and remained on the ground, clutching his right knee. The Eagles played on, and after a controversial non-call on a possible backcourt violation, they found Kiefer Ravena for a baseline cut, 74-69.

With a minute left, JR Sumido drove to make it a three-point game. But Ateneo was able to milk the clock before UE was forced to foul Chris Newsome. The rookie forward made both tries with 26 ticks left, sealing the win for the Ateneo.

In the first quarter, Roi Sumang scored off nifty drives and was fouled from long-range, putting up seven of UE's first nine points. Meanwhile, the Eagles couldn't buy a bucket from anywhere on the floor, 9-2.

With five minutes to play, Ateneo began to score off forced turnovers. Coupled with fouls that put UE over the penalty, the Eagles went on an 11-4 run and evened the game at 13-13 on a Von Pessumal trey. However, the Warriors went 3-of-5 from the free throw line in the last 2:33, ensuring a 17-14 lead after the first period.

Sumang was hot from the perimeter in the second quarter, complementing Dan Alberto, as the pair scattered shots from the outside. While the Eagles had trouble finishing in the lane, UE went on an 8-0 run to take a 29-20 lead.

Ateneo continued eking out points from the line until a Poy Erram cut at the 3:33 mark gave them their first field goal in the last five minutes, 31-25. But UE had other plans as they denied the Eagles any more field goals for the rest of the period, instead sending Kiefer Ravena to the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Sumang and Mammie tag-teamed for the Warriors' last 13 points, ending the half with a 44-34 lead.

At halftime, Sumang racked up 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, leading the Warriors' 17-of-37 (45.9 percent) clip. In contrast, Ateneo made just three field goals in the second period for an 8-of-30 (26.7 percent) outing thus far. They were kept alive by a 17-of-22 stand at the foul line (77.3 percent), led by Ravena's 7-of-8 makes.

The scores: 

ADMU 77: Ravena 22, Newsome 19, Buenafe 9, Elorde 7, Tiongson 6, Pessumal 5, Erram 5, Golla 4, Tolentino 0, Enriquez 0

 

UE 72: Sumang 27, Mammie 11, Jumao-as 10, Alberto 10, Noble 5, Santos 4, Sumido 2, Hernandez 2, Javier 1, Olayon 0, Pujante 0, Flores 0, Casajeros 0

 

Quarters: 14-17, 34-44, 56-55, 77-72