UP tarnishes Ateneo in UAAP on Rivero’s freebies
MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons denied Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles an outright finals seat in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball via a 84-83 beating at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ricci Rivero drained two pressure packed free throws with 22 seconds left on Sunday as the Fighting Maroons handed the Blue Eagles its first defeat in 1,299 days.
This is the Blue Eagles’ first loss since Oct. 10, 2018 when they bowed to the Far Eastern University, 63-60. They’ve won 39 straight games prior to the close loss.
“Winning against Ateneo siyempre is a big achievement for us,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. “One thing good for me, ‘ yung team namin stayed as team no matter how close the game was.”
Trailing 77- 81, Maodo Malick Diouf converted two free throws before James Spencer drilled a top of the key triple to put the Fighting Maroons ahead, 82-81, with 43.6 seconds left.
In the ensuing play, Gian Mamuyac drove to the basket and missed but Dave Ildefonso was there for the offensive board and the lay-in to regain the lead for the Blue Eagles at 83-82.
Off a t i meout, Rivero converted two free throws from a foul by Mamuyac to give UP an 84-83 edge. Bacolodnon Samjosef Belangel tried to win it for Ateneo but misfired his triple try.
“We are trying to rebuild the chemistry among these players because some of them have played for opposing teams in our previous competitions,” he added.
Also part of the Thunderbolts lineup were Katherine Shaine Cortez, Gwen Toledo Bañas, Ana Hermosura, Dona Mae de Leon, Jothea Ramos, Jihan Chuatico, and
Sophie Cagalawan.
Prior to their sweep victory against USLS, the Thunderbolts won all of their four previous matches in the tournament orga n i z e d by Vol l eyb a l l Association of Municipality of Pontevedra.
Thunderbolts team manager J ose Montalbo said t heir participation in the two- day volleyfest was part of their build up for the National Invitational Sports Competition slated from
May 25 to 27 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
“We participated here as part of our preparation in the National Invitational Sports Competition, which is a qualifier for the 2022 ASEAN School Games,” Montalbo said.
“This tournament is muchneeded for us because their first time to play as a unit kasi most of the time ‘yung ibang players were playing for Chery Tiggo and ‘yung iba is sa
national U-17 team,” he added./