MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles regained lost glory for the blue and white clinching the crown in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball do-or-die finals Game 3 on Monday, December 19, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Eagles soared high in the thrilling finals rematch, which happened in the same year of UP Fighting Maroons' epic championship in Season 84.
Ateneo survived a second half fightback of UP, ending with a 75-68 triumph.
Ange Kouame, who was named Finals MVP, powered the Eagles with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
Momentum was on the Eagles in the first half. However, UP made a surge during the third quarter to mover closer with Ateneo.
The Maroons, who missed the service of Zavier Lucero due to unfortunate ACL tear injury during the Game 2 of the finals, was led by James Spencer on his 14 points while Harold Alarcon delivered 12 points.
This is also Ateneo's 12th overall title since transferring to the UAAP in 1978.
Kouame, BJ Andrade, and Dave Ildefonso have played their last game for the Blue Eagles.
The Scores
Ateneo 75 – Kouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0
UP 68 – Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Lina 0
Quarters: 30, 14, 47-32, 60-52, 75-68
— The Summit Express
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| Ateneo Blue Eagles clinched championship in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball. Photo Credit: UAAP |
Eagles soared high in the thrilling finals rematch, which happened in the same year of UP Fighting Maroons' epic championship in Season 84.
Ateneo survived a second half fightback of UP, ending with a 75-68 triumph.
Ange Kouame, who was named Finals MVP, powered the Eagles with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
Momentum was on the Eagles in the first half. However, UP made a surge during the third quarter to mover closer with Ateneo.
The Maroons, who missed the service of Zavier Lucero due to unfortunate ACL tear injury during the Game 2 of the finals, was led by James Spencer on his 14 points while Harold Alarcon delivered 12 points.
This is also Ateneo's 12th overall title since transferring to the UAAP in 1978.
Kouame, BJ Andrade, and Dave Ildefonso have played their last game for the Blue Eagles.
The Scores
Ateneo 75 – Kouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0
UP 68 – Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Lina 0
Quarters: 30, 14, 47-32, 60-52, 75-68
— The Summit Express
