Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Ateneo Blue Eagles bucked a rough start in their 70-59 victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws to preserve their perfect record in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Saturday.
Raffy Verano and Matt Nieto set the pace for the Blue Eagles with 14 points each.
But the Tamaraws got off to a hot start in the opening frame, building a 16-4 lead over Ateneo in the Big Dome.
FEU continued to hold the advantage over the Blue Eagles, nursing a 34-27 advantage going into the halftime interval.
A Matt Nieto trey got Ateneo themselves within 48-47 eight minutes into the third frame, but the Tamaraws held them back at an arm’s length, 50-47, going into the payoff period.
Raffy Verano drained a pair of free throws at the 7:10 mark of the fourth quarter, to revive Ateneo and give them their first lead, 53-52, since the first period.
Ateneo held back FEU through a 8-2 rally with only 2:30 left to play, but the Tamaraws got it within 62-57 with 2:05 remaining on the clock.
But it was too little, too late for FEU, as Ateneo used another late push to keep their hands firmly on the win.
Ron Dennison led FEU with 12 markers in the losing effort.
After the game, Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that they should expect that their opponents will come out ready and hungry to pin a loss on his team.
“FEU played well, they came out with intense defense and they were sharp in their plays,” Arespacochaga said. “We have to expect that every game that would be the case. We got a big target on our backs. It is not going to get easier from here on in,” he added.
The victory sees Ateneo climb up to a 10-0 win-loss slate to seal a spot in the Final Four, while FEU falls to a 5-5 record.
