Ateneo trips FEU to enter Filoil finals

MANILA, Philippines – Isaac Go once buried a 3-point dagger against a familiar foe — the Far Eastern University Tamaraws — on Saturday to help propel Ateneo to a 50-38 win to enter the finals of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.

In a game marked by tight defense, both squads entered the fourth period tied at 30-all. Ateneo center Angelo Kouame hit a free throw to break the deadlock, after which Go buried his 3-point shot from the top of the arc off a pass by Kouame. After a stop on the other end, Go stole an offensive rebound off FEU center Prince Orizu, who mistimed his jump for a 36-31 lead.

During the last UAAP season, Go broke FEU’s heart with a 3-pointer that also helped propel the Blue Eagles to the finals.

Former Ateneo player Arvin Tolentino, who moved to FEU, retaliated with a trey of his own to trim the lead to two. Two free throws — one each from SJ Belangel and Kouame — gave Ateneo a little bit more cushion.

After Tolentino gambled on defense, Blue Eagle forward Raffy Verano found himself free for an open jumper. Ateneo forced FEU into consecutive violations — of the three-second and 24-second kind — after which Anton Asistio rattled home a jumper.

With Ateneo holding a 46-38 lead, Prince Orizu nullified a basket by Wendell Comboy when he tried to stuff the ball that was halfway down the net. Instead, the ball went out and with it, the Tamaraws’ chances of making the finals.

Filling in for Tab Baldwin, Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga refused to point to jetlag as the culprit for Ateneo’s sub-par games, including the 74-72 squeaker over Letran in the quarterfinals.

“No excuses,” he said. “You also have to give credit to FEU for their defense. They are here for a reason.”

Both teams shot 26 percent from the field. But FEU’s output of 38 points tied an all-time tournament low of 38 points. The dubious achievement was also scored by the College of Saint Benilde, which scored that number thrice in different seasons — the last three seasons during the final year of former head coach Gabby Velasco.

No Atenean scored in double figures as Thirdy Ravena led Ateneo with seven points. Angelo Kouame grabbed 15 boards and added six points.

Prince Orizu was the only player in double digits as he scored 11 points and hauled down 13 rebounds for FEU.

Ateneo will face the winner of the San Beda-College of St. Benilde matchup — which is being played as of posting time — in the finals at 6 p.m. Saturday.