Fiery Ateneo keeps UST winless
Games Saturday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. – La Salle vs UST 4 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo
Not even the best that University of Santo Tomas could offer can stop Ateneo’s imperious drive last night.
The Blue Eagles nearly squandered a 22-point advantage but regained their acts in time to dodge the Growling Tigers’ upset ax, 94-84, and stay unscathed in the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Veteran Matt Nieto sizzled with a career-best 22 points, spiked by four triples, while top wingman Thirdy Ravena had another double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds on top of five assists as the Blue Eagles racked up their fifth straight victory in as many matches.
But their latest performance left Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga much to be desired after UST fought its way back from a big 69-47 deficit and threatened within one point at 81-80 off Marvin Lee’s triple midway in the fourth period.
Lee came off the bench and tallied a team-high 22 points while Jordan Sta. Ana added 21 as they teamed up in igniting the Tigers’ ferocious 17-2 counterattack late in the third and sustained it in the early part of the final frame.
The Blue Eagles, however, showed enough poise as Ravena and Nieto, along with fellow veterans Anton Asistio and Vince Tolentino, took turns in dealing clutch buckets on the way to inflicting the Tigers their fifth straight setback.
Earlier, Fil-Am guard Jasper Parker shone on both ends in the stretch as host Far Eastern University turned back National University 90-83 for their second straight victory.