Ateneo punches ticket to the Final Four with win over NU

The Ateneo Blue Eagles now have a seat in the Final Four bus with its victory over the NU Bulldogs, 79-64, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Katipunan-based squad relied on a hot start, outscoring the Bulldogs by 11 in the first two quarters, 22-11 and 25-14. The blue-and-gold team tried to salvage the game with its own second half run, scoring 22 against Ateneo’s 18 points during the third period and making 17 points in the final quarter, while Ateneo listed 14.

Photo by Justin Kenneth Carandang

Ateneo Assistant Coach Sandy Arrespacochaga said they just focused on playing against NU and a Final Four slot was out of their minds as they prepared for today’s battle.

Coach Sandy Arrespacochaga on Ateneo’s entry to the Final Four: We just focused on playing NU today. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/l4hIOplea2

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) October 27, 2018

“We didn’t know that we made it to the Final Four. Our game plan was just focusing on NU and not looking beyond this game,” Arrespacochaga said.

“NU is a very dangerous team and we told our players that NU’s gonna come out with more fire, more intensity, and they did. It’s a good thing that we’re able to stave off their rally. We’re happy to come up with this win,” he added.

Ange Kouame registered his sixth double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Thirdy Ravena led the Eagles with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“It’s one of those games na kahit nakakalamang ka nang marami, di ka puwede magpabaya kasi grabe sila gumawa ng runs nila,” Ravena said.

Ravena also praised NU for fighting until the end. “Props to NU, Coach Jamike, lumaban sila hanggang sa huli.”

John Lloyd Clemente led the pack of Bulldogs with 25 points while Dave Ildefonso chipped in 13.

The win brought Ateneo to its fifth straight Final Four appearance. They are still on top of the standings with nine wins and two losses, while the Bulldogs slide to 3-7.

Ateneo will play against Adamson on Sunday while NU will battle UP on Saturday.

Scores:

• Ateneo (79) — Ravena - 23, Kouame - 19, Belangel - 11, Verano - 7, Go - 7, Tio - 3, Black - 3, Mendoza - 2, Mamuyac - 2, Daves - 2, Asistio - 0, Wong - 0, Navarro - 0, Andrade - 0.
• NU (64) — Clemente 25, Ildefonso, Dave - 13, Ildefonso, Shaun - 7, Diputado - 5, Yu - 5, Gaye - 4, Joson - 3, Rike - 2, Gallego - 0, Sinclair - 0, Galinato - 0, Morido - 0, Malonzo - 0.

—LBG, GMA News