By Kevin Estrada
SAN JUAN -- Ateneo De Manila managed to overcome a bad shooting day to move on to the title game of the FilOil-Flying V Preseason Cup after disposing FEU in a low-scoring affair, 50-38 Friday afternoon at the San Juan Arena.
Both teams had a horrible day at the hard court as they shot an atrocious 17-of-66 from the field, but the Blue Eagles made up for it with a clampdown on the Tamaraws, limiting them to eight points in the payoff frame to return to the championship round for the first time in seven years.
Furthermore, Ateneo had extra help from the foul stripe, outscoring FEU by 11 to overcome an early deficit in the opening period.
Thirdy Ravena led the UAAP champions with seven points but it was Isaac Go's five-point spark in the final canto gave Ateneo their eleventh straight win in the tournament.
Prince Orizu led all scorers with eleven and Hubert Cani had 8, but the Tams had little help with Wendell Comboy and Jasper Parker held scoreless to be relegated to the third place game on Saturday.
The Scores:
ATENEO 50 — Ravena 7, Asistio 6, Kouame 6, Verano 6, Go 5, Navarro 5, Ma. Nieto 5, Mi. Nieto 4, Belangel 3, Maagdenberg 3, Black 0, Mamuyac 0, Mendoza 0, Tio 0, Wong 0, White 0.
FEU 38 — Orizu 11, Cani 8, Tuffin 7, Escoto 4, Iñigo 4, Tolentino 3, Stockton 1, Bienes 0, Comboy 0, Eboña 0, Gonzales 0, Parker 0, Ramirez 0.
Quarter scores: 9-16, 21-22, 30-30, 50-38.
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