Ateneo, NU seal title duel

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo bucked the absence of three of its mainstays to knock out defending champion Far Eastern University, 77-72, and forge a title showdown with National University in the sixth FCBL-Freego Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City last Tuesday.

Playing minus Matt and Mike Nieto and Thirdy Ravena, the Eaglets went to Jime Escaler in the payoff period and the sweet-shooting forward delivered with three triples in the fourth.

In a fitting follow-up to his 21-point performance in the team’s 80-74 win over Mapua last Saturday, Escaler buried three triples in the fourth, including back-to-back in a stirring 9-0 run as Ateneo wiped out FEU’s eight-point lead.