Eagles swoop down on Archers anew, seize No. 1 seed

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University repeated over archrival De La Salle University, 71-62, to secure the top seed in the Final Four of the 81st UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
 
The Blue Eagles banked on Thirdy Ravena and Angelo Kouame to pull away in the fourth period to cement their No. 1 seeding as they improved to 11-2.

Ravena came off the bench for the first time but still led Ateneo with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Kouame, hobbled by early foul trouble, also turned in a double-double performance of 11 points and 10 boards. 

Raffy Verano contributed nine points while William Navarro was solid in the first half for the Blue Eagles and finished with seven points and five rebounds.

“We knew it will be a tough game because La Salle has been performing well in the second round. We expected them to come out strong and play well,” said Blue Eagles assistant Sandy Arespacochaga.

“We are happy we came out with the win,” he added.

Ateneo’s win spoiled the return of Green Archers big man Taane Samuel, who had eight points and three rebounds in 17 minutes.

Aljun Melecio paced La Salle with 13 points while Justine Baltazar and Leonard Santillan added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

The Green Archers dropped to 8-5 and must beat University of the Philippines on Wednesday to avoid the complication of a playoff for the No. 4 spot.

Ravena and Kuoame engineered Ateneo’s breakaway in the final quarter, turning a slim 54-50 lead into a 71-58 spread with a little over two minutes remaining.

Ateneo’s win also assured Adamson (10-3) of the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four round.