Ateneo escapes UP to clinch twice-to-beat bonus

Ateneo de Manila University clinched the twice-to-beat playoff bonus at the expense of the University of the Philippines, 75-67, in their second round face-off in UAAP Season 85 on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After trailing at the end of the half, 37-35, the Blue Eagles relied on a late run in the third period to claim the lead, 53-49, at the end of the said frame. 

The Katipunan-based squad led by as much as 13, 73-60, at the 3:18 mark of the final frame before the Blue Eagles escaped UP's comeback attempt late in the game. 

Dave Ildefonso tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ange Kouame registered a double-double with 14 points and 17 boards to lead the Ateneo in the win in front of a crowd of more than 14,000.

Carl Tamayo had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Harold Alarcon flirted with a double-double with 10 markers and nine boards in the UP loss.

With the win, Ateneo improved to 10-3 before heading into their final elimination game against Adamson University on Wednesday. UP, on the other hand, retained its hold of the playoff bonus despite going down to 11-3 to end the elimination round.

De La Salle University will face University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday to keep their Final Four hopes alive. 

The scores:

Ateneo 75 - Ildefonso 15, Kouame 14, Padrigao 13, Andrade 8, Koon 7, Daves 6, Gomez 5, Ballungay 4, Lazaro 3, Chiu 0, Garcia 0.

UP 67 - Tamayo 20, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 9, Fortea 9, Diouf 7, Galinato 7, Spencer 5, Lucero 0, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 35-37, 53-49, 75-67.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News