Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) — The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles secured the top seed in UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball Final Four after fending off a gutsy Adamson University Soaring Falcons side, 66-61, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Kai Ballungay delivered a masterful double-double performance for the Blue Eagles with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The Soaring Falcons came knocking on Ateneo’s door, trimming a 10-point deficit to just one point with less than two minutes left in the fourth period. Angelo Kouame and BJ Andrade provided the finishing touches for the Blue Eagles with a putback and two charities, respectively.
With the victory, Ateneo will be entering the Final Four as the top for the fifth consecutive season as it will also have a twice-to-beat edge anew in the semifinals.
Adrian Manlapaz dropped a game-high 22 points and five rebounds for Adamson.
The Blue Eagles will wait for the winner of the playoff match between the Soaring Falcons and De La Salle University Green Archers, which both ended up with identical 7-7 records.
Reigning champion University of the Philippines, which finished as the second seed, will also have the twice-to-beat advantage against No. 3 National University in the other semis matchup.
