UAAP leading Blue Eagles shoot for 13th straight win
UNSTOPPABLE to date in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Ateneo Blue Eagles look to take it a step further as they shoot for their 13th straight win in their game today against Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The remaining unblemished team in the UAAP this year with a 12-0 record, the Eagles go for another win in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Maroons that would put them one win away from sweeping the elimination round and gain automatic entry into the finals while rendering the semifinals as a stepladder.
Ateneo comes into the contest fresh from its 10283 victory over the still-winless University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers (0-13) last Saturday.
The Eagles used a strong finish in the fourth period on both ends of the court to dispatch the gutsy Tigers to book their 12th win.
Thirdy Ravena was all-around in Ateneo’s win, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals while guard Matt Nieto tallied 19 points, going five-of-seven from beyond the arc.
Recognizing that they were able to dodge a bullet when UST put up a steady fight, Ateneo deputy Sandy Arespacochaga gave credit to their defense in the fourth period as making it happen for them to stay unblemished.
“It was good that the guys played well defensively in the fourth period. Our offense was there, we had ball movement and found the open guys but defense bailed us out when we needed it most,” said Mr. Arespacochaga said after their win.
He went on to say that they hope they get continue playing well on the defensive end moving forward as they go deeper into the tournament.
Out to thwart Ateneo is UP (5-7), a team practically playing for its playoff life.
Currently outside looking in the Final Four picture at fifth place, the Maroons look to emerge triumphant in the second round of their “Battle of Katipunan” with the Eagles to keep their playoff hopes alive especially if the Far Eastern University (FEU) (6-6) wins its game against National University (4-8) in the preceding game at 2 p.m.
The Maroons saw their Final Four push dealt a major blow when they lost to the third-running Adamson Soaring Falcons (9-4), 86-70, last Sunday.
The loss meant UP gave distance to FEU which it is trying to battle for the fourth and final semifinal spot.
UP fell behind big time to Adamson in the third period but tried to make up for it with a ferocious run in the final canto but just could not take it all the way as they slumped to the loss.
Paul Desiderio led the Maroons with 20 points with guard Jun Manzo adding 15.
Javi Gomez de Liano wound up with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
While they are aware that they are up for a very difficult task against Ateneo today, UP coach Bo Perasol is still not losing hope, believing anything can still happen, especially if they perform from their end.
“We are in a difficult position but all is not lost. Maybe we can catch Ateneo on a bad day. We just have to perform from our end and see where it takes us,” Mr. Perasol said.
Meanwhile, Adamson guard Jerie Pingoy was named UAAP player of the week following a solid performance against UP.
The former Ateneo player put up 15 points, eight assists, six steals and four rebounds to help his team clinch a semifinal spot.
“We really prepared for this game because we are looking ahead to the Final Four. We just followed the system and we’re blessed that we got this win,” Pingoy said after their win.
In annexing the weekly plum given by the UAAP press corps, Pingoy beat out teammate Papi Sarr, Ben Mbala of La Salle, Ravena of Ateneo and Jasper Parker of FEU. —