The Ateneo Blue Eagles remained unscathed after they blasted the UP Fighting Maroons, 73-58, in the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Eagles flirted with disaster before pulling all the stops they needed to unleash one mighty run in the fourth period to book their 12th straight win.
Justin Chua pumped in six of his 11 points in the pivotal payoff period while Greg Slaughter churned out monster numbers of 18 points and 18 rebounds as the four-peat seeking Blue Eagles remained on track of sweeping the eliminations for the first time since the UE Red Warriors in 2007.
The Eagles first opened up a double digit lead in the third quarter, 44-32, on Nico Salva’s basket but the Maroons quickly retaliated as former Blue Eaglet Paolo Romero keyed a 6-0 run to put the Maroons within striking distance, 44-38.
Ateneo finally pulled away on top of the fourth period with a 10-4 blast to post a 13-point advantage, 62-49, halfway through it.
Chua, who also added 10 rebounds and two blocks, extended the Eagles’ lead to 17, 66-49, with under four minutes left as the Maroons suffered their 10th loss in 12 games tying the Warriors at the basement of standings.
The Eagles, who also drew 16 points, six boards and two blocks from Salva, now only have NU Bulldogs and Adamson Falcons left in their schedule. – Alder Almo