Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 19) — The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles reclaimed the UAAP men’s basketball title after holding off the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 75-68, in Game 3 of the Season 85 finals Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Angelo Kouame carried the Blue Eagles again in the pressure-packed contest with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. He was named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
It was a dominant first half for the Blue Eagles as they easily built a 47-32 edge, while the Fighting Maroons struggled to find their rhythm going into the break.
UP then uncorked an 18-4 rally in the third period to slice the deficit to six points, giving the opposing side some scare.
Harold Alarcon’s off-balanced corner triple following split charities pushed the Fighting Maroons within three, 70-67, with 20.1 seconds left in the final quarter.
But graduating captain BJ Andrade sealed the victory for Ateneo by calmly sinking his free throws in front of over 21,000 in attendance at the historic arena.
Forthsky Padrigao and Gab Gomez each had 12 points for the Blue Eagles who nabbed their 12th men’s basketball crown.
“This means a lot to me because nobody believed in us, even if we didn’t believe in us in the start. But Coach Tab is the man and we just followed his lead,” Kouame said.
James Spencer paced UP with 14 points and two rebounds.
