Ateneo stuns FEU in OT to grab the top seed
Ateneo De Manila University pulled off a nerve-wracking come-from-behind 68-64 OT victory over Far Eastern University to capture the top seed and possess the twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 77 Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles were behind by 19 points, 36-55, but they rallied through a 24-3 spurt in the final minutes of the regulation to force overtime. Ateneo shocked FEU at some sort because the Tamaraws were on top 19 points in two separate times in the final quarter. The Tamaraws had a chance to win through the free throws of Mike Tolomia but he failed to make at least one.
Ateneo scored 33 points in the fourth quarter, while it had only 26 points in the first three quarters. Blue Eagles’ star Kiefer Ravena scored 12 points in the fourth period as he delivered the baskets when needed, though he only shot for 5-of-28 from the field.
Moreover, Chris Newsome had 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Eagles. Fonzo Gotladera added nine points, seven of those were in the fourth, and seven rebounds.
In OT, the Eagles displayed poise as they grabbed the lead for the first time, 62-59, with 4:11 left.
Mac Belo provided the scoring for the Tamaraws with 16 points but with only a point in the last 15 minutes. Roger Pogoy added 15 points while Tolomia had 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
FEU will face the winner of the NU and La Salle game in the playoff for the battle for second place.
