It was indeed a rousing come-from-behind victory for the Blue Eaglets, who trailed, 72-77, heading into the final two minutes of the contest until Reyes, nephew of Coca-Cola mentor Chot Reyes, took over and buried in his first triple off a nifty crossover move.
"We didn’t lose composure, we didn’t give up," said Ateneo coach Jamike Jarin, whose charges are on their amazing 10th straight finals appearance.
Although Reyes, who finished with 17 points, delivered the marginal basket, a number of Blue Eaglets churned out big numbers with Mark Encarnacion top-scoring with 19 points and Mark Intal and leading MVP contender Ken Barracoso tossing in 18 points apiece.
The Blue Eaglets gun for the crown on Sunday. Game 3, if necessary, will be played Oct. 11, also at the Big Dome.
Earlier, the Lady Falcons succeeded where their junior counterparts failed, smothering the State U Lady Maroons, 61-39, to gain a 1-0 edge in their own best-of-three showdown for the women’s crown. - Joey Villar