Ateneo takes game 1 over La Salle

(Ateneo guard Matt Nieto dribbling against La Salle guard Aljun Melecio. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABSCBN News)

The Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles escaped the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 76-70, taking game one of the best-of-three finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia arena Saturday.

Isaac Go only managed to score five points but he made the clutch one as he made an and-one play with less than 20 seconds left in the game which sealed the game for Ateneo.

Entering the final quarter with a slim lead, 60-58, the Blue Eagles uncorked a 9-1 blitz to increase their lead to 10, 69-59.

The first half was full of runs where the Eagles ended the first frame up, 26-14; then the Archers retaliated with a run of their own in the second canto with a 25-13 tally.

Ateneo defense limited reigning MVP Ben Mbala to a career-low eight points in 31 minutes. This was the first time Mbala did not score twin digits in his whole UAAP career.

Ateneo won through a balanced team effort led by Thirdy Ravena scoring 12 markers, followed by brothers Mike and Matt Nieto posting 11 points apiece. Aaron Black displayed quality minutes by chipping in seven markers in six minutes of play.

Aljun Melecio had 24 points including five triples for La Salle.

The Archers look forward to a more coherent performance of Ben Mbala in game 2 for a possible 1-1, or Ateneo will claim the title on Wednesday, November 29, at the Araneta Coliseum.