Ateneo remain unscathed, squeak past La Salle

(Jerrie Pingoy passing through FEU’s defense. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net)

Matt Nieto was clutch as he drained two freebies with 3.9 ticks left, to give Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles the win, 76-75, over De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Green Archers in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was a tale of two halves for Ateneo as they led by as much as 14 points in the first half before squandering it in the second half.

The Blue Eagles made six of their eight three-point shot attempts led by Anton Asistio's dazzling display from the outside to break away at the end of first canto, 28-16.

Main gunners Ben Mbala and Ricci Rivero led the comeback for La Salle as they combined for 14 points where they used a 14-4 blitz including a Mbala monstrous rack attack to cut the lead of ADMU at the end of third, 62-63.

Matt Nieto's late game heroics came after he was fouled attempting a shot with 3.9 seconds left, calmly sinking both of his charity stripe attempts.

Wingman Matt Nieto led Ateneo with 16 points, four boards, two dimes and two steals, while guard Jolo Mendoza chipped in 10 markers in 11 minutes.

Ricci Rivero and Ben Mbala paced La Salle with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

The Blue Eagles swept the first round with a 7-0 record, while DLSU finished the round with identical slate with Adamson at 5-2.

2nd round schedule is yet to be announced.