La Salle denies Ateneo a chance to secure an automatic finals bid with a 79-76 victory this past Sunday afternoon at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The defending champions clamped down on defense in the final two minutes and twenty-one seconds of the game, with the Blue Eagles owning a 76-69 lead after a Vince Tolentino transition incursion that caused Aldin Ayo to throw a fit in the sidelines, taking off his jacket and throwing it to the bench area.
That fit must have inspired the Green Archers, as they would end the game on a 10-0 run, aided by free throws as Ateneo was in the penalty. Kib Montalbo scored the go-ahead basket, which also was the final field goal of the game with forty seconds remaining, making it 77-76 La Salle.
Ateneo would have an immediate chance to retake the lead after using a timeout, but Isaac Go missed a lay-up from point-blank range, with Ben Mbala doing what he can to bother the Xavier alum and force the miss.
Ayo would say at the post-match presser, "It was uncontested. Luckily, it did not go in."
Ricci Rivero would score the final points of the game at 8.9 seconds remaining with a couple of free throws to make it a three-point lead. Anton Asistio was denied in his game-tying three-point attempt to ensure the victory for La Salle. The younger Rivero scored twelve of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, almost matching Ateneo's output in the game.
Mbala maximized his impact on the floor with 28 points, nineteen rebounds, six steals, and six blocks.
With the sweep denied, the Final Four format will be used, in which Ayo shares that "It will be a dogfight" as they face Adamson this Saturday.
The Blue Eagles had been guaranteed to finish with the top seed regardless of the result, and are facing FEU on Sunday. Thirdy Ravena led the team with fifteen points and eight rebounds.
Both Ateneo and La Salle own a twice-to-beat advantage. (c/o Kim Karlo Castro)
The defending champions clamped down on defense in the final two minutes and twenty-one seconds of the game, with the Blue Eagles owning a 76-69 lead after a Vince Tolentino transition incursion that caused Aldin Ayo to throw a fit in the sidelines, taking off his jacket and throwing it to the bench area.
That fit must have inspired the Green Archers, as they would end the game on a 10-0 run, aided by free throws as Ateneo was in the penalty. Kib Montalbo scored the go-ahead basket, which also was the final field goal of the game with forty seconds remaining, making it 77-76 La Salle.
Ateneo would have an immediate chance to retake the lead after using a timeout, but Isaac Go missed a lay-up from point-blank range, with Ben Mbala doing what he can to bother the Xavier alum and force the miss.
Ayo would say at the post-match presser, "It was uncontested. Luckily, it did not go in."
Ricci Rivero would score the final points of the game at 8.9 seconds remaining with a couple of free throws to make it a three-point lead. Anton Asistio was denied in his game-tying three-point attempt to ensure the victory for La Salle. The younger Rivero scored twelve of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, almost matching Ateneo's output in the game.
Mbala maximized his impact on the floor with 28 points, nineteen rebounds, six steals, and six blocks.
With the sweep denied, the Final Four format will be used, in which Ayo shares that "It will be a dogfight" as they face Adamson this Saturday.
The Blue Eagles had been guaranteed to finish with the top seed regardless of the result, and are facing FEU on Sunday. Thirdy Ravena led the team with fifteen points and eight rebounds.
Both Ateneo and La Salle own a twice-to-beat advantage. (c/o Kim Karlo Castro)
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