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[av_heading heading=’Blue Eagles dethrones Green Archers ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, December 4, 2017
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MANILA – Ateneo Blue Eagles turned on the heat in the final quarter to pull off a thrilling 88-86 victory over De La Salle Green Archers in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball finals yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 68-66 early in the fourth quarter, Blue Eagles unloaded a 10-0 scoring run on inside baskets by Vince Tolentino and Chibueze Ikeh, and back-to-back treys by Matt Nieto and Anton Asistio for a 76-68 lead.
The lead later grew to its largest at 80-70 on inside hits by Thirdy Ravena and Tolentino before Green Archers made its last push to come to within 80-82 on back-to-back triples by Aljun Melecio and Andrei Caracut.
Blue Eagles countered with its own triple from Isaac Go and a free throw from Asistio to extend the lead to 86-80 before Green Archers scored two treys late in the game from Melecio and Caracut for a 2-point defeat.
Ravena led the way with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, Nieto chipped in with 14 markers, while Ikeh contributed double-double 13 points and 12 rebounds for Blue Eagles, which snapped its five-year title drought to claim its ninth UAAP title.
Mbala, meanwhile, finished with double-double 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Melecio and Rivero had 16 and 14 points, respectively, for the dethroned champion.
Ateneo waxed hot early with Ikeh, Tolentino and Ravena making their shots to lead 24-14. Green Archers turned things around in the second to snatch a 38-37 lead but 6 straight points by Blue Eagles in last 10 seconds of the half gave them a 45-38 edge.
Blue Eagles pulled away again early in the third at 50-44 on hits by Ravena but Green Archers countered with a strong run to take a 64-61 lead before Ateneo got hits from Jolo Mendoza and Ikeh for a 66-all score heading into the fourth./PN
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