Ateneo de Manila University took round two, trouncing the University of the Philippines, 75-67, in season 85 of the UAAP men's basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on 26 November.
The Blue Eagles built a double-digit lead in the last three minutes of the final quarter, dodging the Fighting Maroons' late-game rally and avenging an overtime, first-round loss.
Dave Ildefonso scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Blue Eagles clinched the last twice-to-beat advantage into the Final Four with a 10-3 win-loss record.
Ange Kouame meanwhile notched a double-double performance with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
The Fighting Maroons' Carl Tamayo likewise finished the game with a double-double, logging in 20 points and 10 rebounds as UP stayed on top of the elimination round with an 11-3 standing.
Earlier, the University of the East capped its UAAP campaign on a high note after an 80-72 overtime win over De La Salle University.
Rey Remogat scored a career-high 24 points while Luis Villegas wound up with a double-double of 14 markers and 10 boards for UE, which now stands at 5-9.
Mark Nonoy pumped in 14 points for the Green Archers, who need to win against the UST Growling Tigers on 30 November to make the fourth and final semifinal slot.
The scores:
UE (80) — Remogat 24, K. Paranada 13, Stevens 12, Villegas 10, N. Paranada 6, Gilbuena 5, Pagsanjan 4, Sawat 4, Payawal 2, Tulabut 0, Alcantara 0.
LA SALLE (72) — Nonoy 14, Austria 10, Nwankwo 10, Nelle 8, Cortez 8, Macalalag 8, Quiambao 7, B. Phillips 4, Estacio 3, Abadam 0, Winston 0.
QUARTERS: 16-27, 36-33, 50-51, 68-68, 80-72.
ATENEO (75) – Ildefonso 15, Kouame 14, Padrigao 13, Andrade 8, Koon 7, Daves 6, Gomez 5, Ballungay 4, Lazaro 3, Chiu 0, Garcia 0.
UP (67) – Tamayo 20, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 9, Fortea 9, Diouf 7, Galinato 7, Spencer 5, Lucero 0, Abadiano 0, Gonzales 0.
QUARTERS: 23-18, 35-37, 53-49, 75-67.