Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It wasn’t a pretty start for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Game 1 of their championship showdown with rivals the La Salle Green Archers.
The top-seeded Archers opened up the contest with a blistering 16-2 rally in the face of a shell-shocked Ateneo.
Despite the initial onslaught, the Blue Eagles were able to claw their way back into the contest by tying the game up at 52-all before the payoff period.
In the end, the game was decided by the very last possession.
King Archer Jeron Teng came up big to get the go ahead bucket on one end with 15 ticks left on the clock, before getting a defensive stop on Aaron Black on the other.
The Katipunan-based side came close, but their slow start proved to be costly.
“It was good that we were able to bounce back even with that 16-2 start,” Ateneo guard Thirdy Ravena said after the game. “It just means that we should focus on playing more of our own game and just not be intimidated by the pressure of the finals.”
Had the Blue Eagles come out stronger, it could have been a completely different ball game.
But with Game 1 in the books, Ravena is certain on what the Eagles need to do to extend the series.
“Not get a bad start, lessen the mental mistakes,” Ravena said. “There were a lot of mistakes that were crucial, and sort of defined the game. but it’s done so all we can do is to prepare for Game 2.”
The Blue Eagles will get a chance to force a rubber match against the Green Archers when they face off in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Read: La Salle survives Blue Eagles to claim Game 1
