Eagles assured of final seat

Ateneo caught University of the East napping yesterday to run away with a 91-82 victory and virtually assure itself of a final berth in the UAAP-NCAA Final Showdown at the Makati Coliseum.

With a perfect 2-0 record and a plus-20 quotient, the only way the Blue Eagles could miss the finals is if they lose by 20 points to the San Sebastian Stags and the Warriors beat the St. Benilde Blazers tomorrow at the close of the single-round semis.

But that would be quite a task to perform for the Stags considering the Blue Eagles’ recent form that led them to their first UAAP seniors crown in 14 years. San Sebastian, like UE, sports a 1-1 record while St. Benilde is still winless after two games in the semis.

Earlier, reigning NCAA champion San Sebastian tripped St. Benilde, 78-73.

In case of a three-way tie for the top or a two-way tie for second at the close of the semis, the quotient system will be applied to determine the teams that will figure in the one-game title playoff.

Enrico Villanueva returned to action for Ateneo after seeing action in the PBL-CBL dual meet in Cebu City, but it was Wesley Gonzales who struck hardest against the Warriors, leading the team with a game-high 33 points with connections from inside and out.