Ateneo clips UP, sweeps eliminations, clinches finals berth

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2019 11:33:41 +0000

ATENEO’S Kakou Kouame celebrates after scoring against the University of the Philippines in their game at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Rio Deluvio)

Games on Nov. 6

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4 p.m. – FEU vs UST

Ateneo continued its dominance in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball Wednesday, crushing University of the Philippines, 86-64, for an elimination round sweep and an outright finals berth at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The two-time defending champion Eagles rose from a 21-20 first quarter deficit with a 23-6 run to open a 43-27 lead en route to their 14th straight victory.

They led by as many as 24 points early in the fourth period on a Matt Nieto triple 73-49.

Ateneo became the second team to sweep the elims after University of the East in 2007, propelling them straight to the best-of-three finals.

They await the winner of the stepladder semis pitting UP, Far Eastern University, and University of Santo Tomas.

UP, which finished the elims at No. 2 with a 9-5 record, enjoys a twice-to-beat semis incentive as it prepares to face the winner between FEU and UST in the first round of the stepladder phase.

Ange Kouame paced with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, SJ Belangel and Will Navarro chipped in 13 and 11 points, and Thirdy Ravena added 11 points, four boards, and five assists for the Eagle
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