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Dream match set: DLSU, Ateneo dispute crown


MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo groped for form early before the Eagles launched a decisive 16-0 run in the first half to cruise to a 70-50 victory over University of the East in the UAAP final four Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. That means the dream match-up is set: the no.1 seed Eagles will challenge the defending champion De La Salle Green Archers for college basketball’s top prize. La Salle beat Far Eastern University 67-62 in the other semifinal match. Jai Reyes scored 10 points and backup guard Eric Salamat had nine in the critical rally that saw the Eagles climb back from an 11-5 deficit midway through the first quarter to take the driver’s seat 25-13 late in the second. Reyes finished with 13 points and Salamat 11. Ahead 32-21 at the half, Ateneo poured it on in the third. Ateneo big men Nonoy Baclao and Rabeh al-Hussaini combined for nine points and a three-pointer each by Reyes and Ryan Buenafe ballooned the Eagles’ lead to 47-28 under a minute to go in the third. Chris Tiu’s fallaway jumper near the end of the quarter breached the 20-point gap for Ateneo (49-28). Buenafe’s hard drive to the basket off a Tiu look-away pass in the 8:10 mark of the fourth established the Eagles’ biggest lead, 56-28. With the lopsided win, the Eagles (14-1) proved why they deserve to be the no.1 seed. When it opens the title series with its archnemesis on Sunday, Ateneo will try to prove its dominant run throughout the season deserves to be capped by a championship. It was the third-largest victory in the final-four era of the UAAP, thanks in large part to the Eagles’ balanced attack which has been the signature of the Loyola Heights school’s campaign this season. While La Salle looks for its second straight championship and sixth overall under Franz Pumaren, Ateneo guns for its third championship in the league overall. – GMANews.TV

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