UAAP: Blue Eagles end skid, survive Tams to protect home floor

MANILA (UPDATED) — Ateneo de Manila University held its ground at the Blue Eagle Gym, snapping a three-game skid with a 75-72 victory over Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Saturday in Katipunan.

The Blue Eagles fended off Jorick Bautista’s late rally, with Kieffer Alas icing the game from the foul line to finish with 21 points, four rebounds, and two steals as Ateneo marked its fourth win in eight games.

The Tamaraws still had 3.7 seconds left to force overtime, but the Blue Eagles’ defense forced Janrey Pasaol into a contested floater from inside the arc that missed, sealing the victory.

“It’s just another game, but it’s a good stepping stone for us,” said Alas, who also knocked down a crucial three-pointer at the 5:19 mark to give Ateneo a 66-54 lead before FEU’s late charge.

Jared Bahay was also crucial to the win with 15 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Sultan Baruwa added 13 points and 12 boards as Ateneo reinvigorated its Final Four bid, drawing praise from head coach Louie Alas.

“This is a huge, huge win for us because we are not just one game behind the upper bracket,” he said, as they avoided an 18-point collapse. “But this is just one win. We still need more to stay in contention.”

Bautista, meanwhile, led the Tamaraws with 18 points, including two late triples that pulled FEU within one in the final seconds, but his efforts ultimately went for naught as they absorbed their third straight loss and fourth in eight games.

Abou Konateh followed with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks, while Kirby Mongcopa and Cabs Cabonilas scored 11 points apiece for FEU, which dropped into a four-way tie with Ateneo, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas for the fourth to seventh places in the team standings.

Ateneo 75 — Alas 21, Bahay 15, Baruwa 13, Espinosa 8, Roberts 8, Tuano 6, Kapihe 2, Rogers 2, Bongo 0, Espina 0.

FEU 72 — Bautista 18, Konateh 12, Mongcopa 11, Cabonilas 11, Pasaol 7, Burgos 7, Daa 4, Nakai 2, Felipe 0, Gish 0, Montemayor 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 46-30, 58-50, 75-72.