Ace performer: Alas’ endgame heroics power Ateneo over FEU

Games today:

(Blue Eagle Gym)

2:30 p.m. — UP vs UE

6 p.m. — UST vs La Salle

Kieffer Alas’ steady hands from the foul line saved Ateneo de Manila University from collapse as it arrested a three-game slide with a 75-72 escape over Far Eastern University (FEU) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Blue Eagle Gym.

Protecting a one-point lead with 3.7 seconds left, the top Blue Eagle rookie calmly sank two clutch free throws, which gave the Tamaraws no choice but to take a risky three-pointer to force overtime.

Luckily, a mental lapse and a miss from reigning Most Valuable Player Janrey Pasaol, who took a perimeter floater instead of attempting a three-pointer, allowed Ateneo to score a payback on its home floor from its first-round blowout loss to FEU.

“This is a huge, huge win for us because I know we’re just one game behind from those on the upper bracket,” Blue Eagles coach Louie Alas said.

Ateneo improved to a 4-4 win-loss record tied with its victim and idle squads defending champion De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas.

“But more than the win is that we’re able to snap out of that mentality that it seemed we didn’t know how to win anymore in our last three games. We were overwhelmed by our win against NU (National University). Our last three days of practice were intense. I told them it’s not about the Xs and Os but the willingness to sacrifice. I guess, it happened,” the mentor added.

Kieffer Alas finished with 21 points on 7-of-15 field goal shooting, grabbed four rebounds, and had two steals to lead the Blue Eagles.

Jared Bahay bounced back from a three-point outing in the Blue Eagles previous outing by dropping 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field while Nigerian center Sultan Baruwa submitted a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards.

Ian Espinosa and Travis Roberts had eight points each for Ateneo.

Baruwa’s free throws and Roberts’ converted and-one play gave the Blue Eagles a 73-62 cushion with 1:51 left in the game.

However, graduating guard Jorick Bautista rallied the Tamaraws back for one final push.

Jedric Daa, Bautista and Mo Konateh combined for 10-0 burst. Bautista capped it with a three-pointer to cut FEU’s deficit to just one, 72-73, with 5.8 seconds remaining.