Eagles oust Tams to book UAAP finals return

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo marched its way to a third straight finals appearance with an 80-61 rout of Far Eastern University in their Final Four game in 81st UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Araneta Colisuem.

 Third Ravena led the Blue Eagles’ hot start and finished with a game-high 22 points before fouling out in the contest.

Angelo Kouame added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks for the defending champions, who started the game with an 8-0 salvo and led by as high as 31 points, 59-28, late in the third period.

“We got off a good start and able to sustain it,” said Blue Eagles assistant coach Sandy Arespacohaga.

“We knew that coming into this game we’re up against a tough FEU team, who just had two great wins against Adamson and La Salle,” he added.

Ateneo’s defense held the Tamaraws to just 31.51 percent shooting from the field (23-of-73) and no FEU player was able to hit double figures in scoring.

Kevin Ebona led the Morayta-based team with 9 points while Arvin Tolentino, the hero in FEU’s 71-70 squeaker over La Salle in their playoff duel for the last Final Fur seat, was held down to just five markers on 2-of-4 shooting from the field.

The Blue Eagles await the winner of the other Final Four match between Adamson and UP on Wednesday.