BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
THE ATENEO Eagles showed they are a cut above the rest as they overpowered University of Santo Tomas, 86-79, to complete their date with history, completing a rare championship sweep in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Eagles etched their name in league history by becoming the first team in decades to finish the season undefeated in 16 games.
Previous unbeaten squads are Far Eastern University (1980-81) and University of Santo Tomas (1993) did it in the past in 12 and 14 games.
Completing their three-peat campaign, the Eagles also clinched their 11th crown overall.
Ateneo prevailed by an average margin of 16.5 points including Game 1’s 91-77 triumph last Saturday, winning in double figures in all but four games: against UST in the opening round (71-70) and in this match, over Adamson (80-74) and against La Salle (77-69).
But nothing was sweeter than this historic Game 2 win, where the Eagles calmly protected their lead despite the Tigers’ gallant attempts to overcome the odds.
UST came close in the last 7:40 after back-to-back baskets from Dave Ando and CJ Cansino cut Ateneo’s lead down to 67-66.
But the Eagles were quick to recover, uncorking a 16-5 run spearheaded by Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame to regain their double-digit advantage, 83-71.
And that was the end for the Tigers.
Ravena ended his collegiate career with a bang, scattering 17 points aside from posting seven rebounds and five assists. In Game 1, he tallied a season-high 32 points and five boards.
SJ Belangel also shone by firing all his 14 points behind the arc in 17 minutes.
Matt Nieto likewise made a grand exit with 14 points, six boards and five assists, while Kouame and Navarro had seven points each.
Also graduating for Ateneo are Mike Nieto, Adrian Wong and Isaac Go.
Rhenz Abando led UST with 16 points, Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy had 14 and Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo finished with 11 points and 19 boards but Ateneo was too much to handle.
Still, it was an achievement for the Tigers on their first finals appearance since 2015.
The scores:
ATENEO 86 – Ravena 17, Belangel 14, Ma. Nieto 14, Kouame 7, Navarro 7, Go 6, Maagdenberg 6, Wong 5, Daves 4, Mi. Nieto 3, Mamuyac 2, Andrade 0.
UST 79 –Abando 16, Nonoy 14, Chabi Yo 11, Concepcion 8, Subido 8, Huang 7, Ando 6, Paraiso 5, Cansino 4, Bataller 0, Pangilinan 0.
Quarters: 31-18, 42-32, 67-62, 86-79.
