UP outlasts Ateneo, snaps 14-game skid

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines finally broke free from the stranglehold of long-time tormentor Ateneo.

Showing grit in the crunch, the Fighting Maroons conquered the Blue Eagles, 56-52, to snap a 14-game, seven-year losing skid against their Katipunan neighbor yesterday in the UAAP LXXIX men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena.

Jelo Vito nailed a clutch corner trey and Jett Manuel hit the insurance charities to seal UP’s first win over Ateneo since a 68-58 verdict on July 26, 2009.

On a personal note, UP coach Bo Perasol chalked up one against his former team Ateneo, which suffered its second straight loss and dropped to 4-4.

“It’s extra special in a sense that we’re able to put an end to that long losing streak but I feel bad for my former players also. I know they’re in contention and they will still be in contention. There’s no extra special feeling because I beat my former team but I’m happy for my team right now,” said Perasol.

The Maroons seized a 51-44 cushion but a scoreless spell allowed the Eagles to close in at 50-51. Vito made that booming corner trey off a kickout by Manuel to restore a three-point cushion with 16.4 seconds left, prompting Perasol to raise both arms and the UP community to whoop it up.

Adrian Wong made a quick two then Manuel gave UP a fresh four-point tear going to the last 7.2.

“Credit really goes to my players, they really displayed grit and determination in the end game; they just did it,” said Perasol, who challenged the Maroons before the game that they should not “wait for another seven years to beat Ateneo again.”

Buoyed by its breakthrough victory last week, a fired-up University of the East claimed a second victim in slumping Santo Tomas, 71-61.

The Warriors punished the Tigers with their stifling press, forcing them to 32 turnovers and converting it to 26 points, and turned to Mark Olayon for the offensive to secure a followup to their 64-57 win over Adamson earlier.

UE caught up with UST at sixth place with 2-6.  The Tigers’ skid extended to a fourth game.

“We know how important this game is as we seek to come out of the hole where we’re in right now,” said UE mentor Derrick Pumaren.

Olayon, who averaged eight markers in the first round, rifled in 14, including eight in the payoff period, to go with seven rebounds  as UE went back-to-back after a 0-6 start while also avenging its 87-88 setback to UST last Sept. 10.

“Nakakuha kami ng kumpyansa from last game (We gained confidence from our previous win),” said Olayon.

The Warriors raced to a 23-13 tear in the first and maintained a double-digit spread that reached a high of 19 at 35-16 in the second canto. UST committed 23 miscues in the first 20 minutes alone.

“I told the boys we gotta jump on them right away. We’re coming off a win while they’re fresh from a loss so their morale is low. We took advantage of that and forced them to turn the basketball (over),” said Pumaren.

Louie Vigil shot 21 while William Afoakwah had 21 rebounds and 10 markers for UST.