Ateneo semis-bound

Thirdy Ravena added 13 markers and seven rebounds. (Contributed photo)

Ateneo de Manila University reasserted its mastery over chief rival De La Salle University with a 77-69 victory and clinched the first Final Four seat of Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Team captain Thirdy Ravena and Adrian Wong led the Blue Eagles’ relentless defense and towed their team to 10th straight win, becoming the first team to earn a semifinals seat.

Wong led Ateneo with a season-high 18 points in just 19 minutes while the graduating Ravena added 13 markers and seven rebounds in a game witnessed by 11,239 supporters of both schools.

“La Salle looked really composed and very sure of themselves and I think that if Adrian (Wong) didn’t come out hot, we’re in trouble,” said Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, whose team stretched their winning streak to 20 games dating back last season.

“It’s another example of somebody else on the roster stepping up and having a good game when it is needed because we had some guys who I thought today wasn’t at their best,” the American-Kiwi mentor added.

Holding a 36-30 halftime lead, Ateneo tightened its defense in the next 20 minutes but the Green Archers kept on coming back and even sliced the lead to 50-55 entering the final quarter.

But the Blue Eagles opened the fourth quarter with a 13-5 run capped by back-to-back baskets by Gian Mamuyac to stretch their lead to 68-55 with 3:50 left in the game.

Encho Serrano, Justin Baltazar and Andrei Caracut tried to rally La Salle back but time was not on their side as the Taft-based team fell in the team standings with a 4-5 win-loss card.

“It’s evident that they really prepared for our team. But this is what we prepared during the off-season. Everyone who steps on the court should really step up and provide hustle on both ends,” said Mike Nieto, who had five points and seven boards.

Ange Kouame chipped in 10 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for the Blue Eagles, who also beat La Salle, 81-69, in the first round.

Serrano paced La Salle with 15 points while Baltazar had 12 markers and nine boards, a far cry from his 25-25 game in their 85-61 win over National University. Caracut was hobbled by foul trouble and finished with just 11 points.

“The chances are still there. We can see that teams in the middle of the standings are close with each other and we just treat every game as a playoff game,” Green Archers head coach Gian Nazario said.

“We don’t want to regret anything in the end and right now, the ball is still in our hands. We still have the control over our fate,” he added.