MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo Blue Eagles came from behind in overtime to nip the UE Red Warriors, 69-66, and seized a spot in the Final Four in the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday.
Ateneo survived UE's upset try led by Rey Remogat, improving to 9-3 while also eliminating the 4-9 Red Warriors from semis contention.
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They also extended their streak of Final Four appearances to eight straight seasons.
"Sometimes winning ugly is not necessarily the way that you wanna win, but it's just as valuable in the standings, and the standings are extremely important right now with the other results. Everybody is very mindful of the standings," said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
"It seems like every game takes a greater significance with the changing landscape of the standings. We're really happy to get that win," he added.
Dave Ildefonso came up with the game-tying triple to send the game to overtime, 62-all.
Though Abdul Sawat scored back-to-back baskets in the extra period to put UE ahead by four with 3:15 ticks left, a technical on UE assistant coach Don Allado shifted the momentum to the Blue Eagles' favor.
Ange Kouame scored four points to give the lead to Ateneo, 67-66, with 1:46 left.
UE then couldn't convert on the other end -- including the potential game-tying triple anew at the end of overtime when JM Tulabut missed from the top of the key.
Player of the Game Kai Ballungay played a perfect game, shooting 5-of-5 to finish with 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and a steal.
Ildefonso, who also came up with a clutch rebound in overtime, posted 12 points, 14 boards, three assists and three steals.
Ange Kouame added a double-double of his own with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Remogat, meanwhile, scored a career-high 21 points to lead UE in the upset try. Luis Villegas contributed 11 points, nine boards, four assists, five steals and two blocks.
The Blue Eagles, who have now won four straight games, hope to end their elimination round on a high note and clinch a twice-to-beat semis bonus in the process when they face rivals UP on Saturday, November 26.
Meanwhile, UE aims for a win to end their UAAP Season 85 campaign gainst the DLSU Green Archers in the same day.
The scores:
ATENEO 69 -- Ballungay 14, Ildefonso 12, Kouame 12, Padrigao 9, Andrade 6, Gomez 6, Lazaro 5, Koon 3, Daves 2, Garcia 0, Chiu 0.
UE 66 -- Remogat 21, Villegas 11, Sawat 6, Pagsanjan 5, K. Paranada 5, Stebens 5, Payawal 5, Gilbuena 4, N. Paranada 2, Tulabut 2, Beltran 0, Alcantara 0.
Quarters: 18-11, 29-30, 47-50, 62-62, 69-66.