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| Matt Nieto completed Ateneo's comeback in the late stages of regulation by scoring almost half of the Blue Eagle's scoring in overtime, setting up a Finals rematch with La Salle. Franchesca Nicole Collantes/Dugout Philippines |
By Kevin Estrada
PASAY CITY -- Ateneo needed the clutch heroics of Isaac Go and Matt Nieto to repulse FEU in the first-ever extra session in UAAP Men's basketball season, knocking off the season hosts in an overtime thriller, 88-84 in the sudden death game Wednesday evening at the MOA Arena.
The Blue Eagles snapped a two-game losing skid by their skin of their teeth, crawling back from the brink by displaying their grit and composure that made them the top team during the regular season in the extra five minutes to set up a finals rematch with eternal enemies and champions La Salle three days from now.
While Thirdy Ravena led the way with 17 markers, it was the guard-center combo of Go and Nieto that took charge when it mattered the most.
Go forced extra time with a wide open trey with 8.5 ticks left in regulation en route to 13 points, and Nieto completed the comeback in overtime, scoring the final six of his 16 markers in the half-frame to capitalize Prince Orizu's exit in the final 1:39 of regulation.
Jasper Parker had 10 of the game-high 19 points in the second quarter, but the Tamaraws failed to hold on to their early fourth quarter lead as they exit the tournament in fourth place.
FEU have overtaken Ateneo in the final frame on an 14-2 opening salvo to get its biggest lead at 8, 67-59 on an Orizu shot, but they could not find the telling blow to the Blue Eagles' finals hopes.
The Scores
Ateneo 88 -- Ravena 17, Matt Nieto 16, Ikeh 16, Go 13, Mendoza 5, Tio 5, Mike Nieto 4, Vince Tolentino 3, Black 3, Mamuyac 2, Verano 2, Porter 2, Asistio 0
FEU 84 -- Parker 19, Arvin Tolentino 13, Comboy 11, Orizu 10, Escoto 6, Inigo 6, Trinidad 6, Cani 5, Dennison 4, Ebona 2, Tuffin 2, Bayquin 0
Quarter scores: 21-15, 40-33, 57-53, 75-75, 88-84
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