The Ateneo Blue Eagles aimed to bank back-to-back titles when they clinched the first win in the final series of the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament last October 1. The game ended with a 78-71 score with the Eagles leading the way by 13 points since the 1st quarter. The UE warriors didn’t make it easy for the Eagles retorting with a 19-1 run before the end of the first half. The Eagles however held on to their game with the 2008 Most Valuable Player Rabeh Al-Hussaini clutching an impressive game with 28 points and 14 boards and Jai Reyes piling sets of triples.
Game Two proved to be a totally different story. University of the East made the most of the best-of-three finals bringing the series to a do or die match Game 3. Ateneo received quite a blow from the Warriors being behind by 20 points after the final buzzer. It’s been 24-years since UE scored a UAAP title and they want to discontinue that record this year. Last time Ateneo pulled a back-to-back series was in 1987-88, Ateneo is vying to replicate that.
The heat is rising –a smoking Game Three to watch out for.
Game 2 Scores:
UE 88 -Espiritu 22, Llagas 19, Lee 13, Acuña 12, Lingganay 7, Reyes 6, Zamar 5, Duran 4, Tagarda 0, Bandaying 0.
ATENEO 68 -Al-Hussaini 18, Monfort 12, Reyes 11, Baclao 10, Austria 6, Salamat 4, Long 3, Chua 2, Buenafe 2, Sumalinog 0, Salva 0.
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Quarters: 18-15, 38-40, 63-53, 88-68
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