Eagles avert disaster, survive Tams in OT for finals berth
November 22, 2017 | 10:55am
Matt Nieto of the Blue Eagles celebrate with his teammates | File Photo
MANLA, Philippines — Matt Nieto delivered in the clutch anew — this time with the Ateneo de Manila University’s season at stake — to tow the Blue Eagles past the pesky FEU Tamaraws in overtime, 88-84, in their do-or-die UAAP semis match Wednesday night at the Mall of Arena.
Richard Escoto hit a quick shot after a timeout to keep the Tamaraws within striking range. But the Morayta-based squad had no answer for Ateneo's other big-time performer Isaac Go, who was responsible for a booming trey that sent the game to the extra period.
Nieto, who had been a steady, reliable hand for the Blue Eagles all season long, hit a pull-up jumper with 1:30 left in overtime to wrest the lead. He then drilled a trey to generate a separation from the Tamaraws, who gave the top-seeded squad its third down-to-the-wire clash in the past three seasons.
Thirdy Ravena paced Ateneo with 17 points. Nieto had 16 to go with Go's 13.
Jasper Parker, a rookie from Southwestern University in Cebu and a breakout performer in the semis, led the Tams with 19 points. Former Atenean Arvin Tolentino chimed in 13.
The win sent the Blue Eagles—who were reeling from back-to-back losses— to a Finals rematch with the dealer of their lone loss in the elimination phase, defending champion De La Salle University.
The men's basketball finals series begins on Saturday again at the MOA Arena.
BOX SCORES
ATENEO 88 – Ravena 17, Nieto Ma 16, Ikeh 16, Go 13, Mendoza 5, Tio 5, Nieto Mi 4, Tolentino 3, Black 3, Mamuyac 2, Verano 2, Porter 2, Asistio 0
FEU 84 – Parker 19, Tolentino 13, Comboy 11, Orizu 10, Escoto 6, Inigo 6, Trinidad 6, Cani 5, Dennison 4, Ebona 2, Tuffin 2, Bayquin 0
QUARTER SCORES: 21-15, 40-33, 57-53, 75-75, 88-84 (OT)
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