PASAY—FEU stayed alive in UAAP men's basketball after stunning Ateneo, 62-61, in Game 1 of their semifinal clash at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night.
The third-seeded Tamaraws rallied from 10 points down to send their Final Four series against the second-seeded Blue Eagles to a rubber match on Wednesday.
After a low-scoring first half, Ateneo looked to pull away in the third quarter, opening a 39-29 lead late in the period. The team held on to a 51-44 advantage early in the fourth.
But FEU went on a pivotal 16-4 run to steal the lead, 60-55.
Thirdy Ravena hit a triple with 5.9 seconds left to draw the Eagles to within two, but Ron Dennison, after a sneaky inbound move, iced the game with two charities. Ravena would bury a long three for the final tally.
Toto Jose led the Tamaraws with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting with 23 rebounds and two assists, while Monbert Arong added 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Aaron Black had 11 markers, three rebounds, and one dime for the Blue Eagles.
The knockout match for the right to face La Salle in the Finals is set on Wednesday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Box Scores:
FEU 62-Jose 20, Arong 13, Orizu 9, Comboy 8, Dennison 6, Iñigo 4, Tuffin 2, Escoto 0, Trinidad 0, Ebona 0, Holmqvist 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0, Denila 0
Ateneo 61-Black 11, Ravena 10, Asistio 9, Go 8, Verano 7, Ikeh 5, Mi. Nieto 4, Ma. Nieto 3, Wong 2, Porter 2, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 10-10, 23-20, 35-42, 62-61
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
The third-seeded Tamaraws rallied from 10 points down to send their Final Four series against the second-seeded Blue Eagles to a rubber match on Wednesday.
After a low-scoring first half, Ateneo looked to pull away in the third quarter, opening a 39-29 lead late in the period. The team held on to a 51-44 advantage early in the fourth.
But FEU went on a pivotal 16-4 run to steal the lead, 60-55.
Thirdy Ravena hit a triple with 5.9 seconds left to draw the Eagles to within two, but Ron Dennison, after a sneaky inbound move, iced the game with two charities. Ravena would bury a long three for the final tally.
Toto Jose led the Tamaraws with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting with 23 rebounds and two assists, while Monbert Arong added 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Aaron Black had 11 markers, three rebounds, and one dime for the Blue Eagles.
The knockout match for the right to face La Salle in the Finals is set on Wednesday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Box Scores:
FEU 62-Jose 20, Arong 13, Orizu 9, Comboy 8, Dennison 6, Iñigo 4, Tuffin 2, Escoto 0, Trinidad 0, Ebona 0, Holmqvist 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0, Denila 0
Ateneo 61-Black 11, Ravena 10, Asistio 9, Go 8, Verano 7, Ikeh 5, Mi. Nieto 4, Ma. Nieto 3, Wong 2, Porter 2, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 10-10, 23-20, 35-42, 62-61
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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