The Ateneo Blue Eagles get back in the win column at the expense of the UE Red Warriors' playoff push in UAAP Season 87.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles denied the UE Red Warriors an outright berth for the Final Four, snapping a three-game losing streak in UAAP Season 87 and winning, 71-67, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday.
In a game that no longer had any bearing for the Blue Eagles, Jared Bahay scored the go-ahead bucket to push Ateneo ahead with 20 ticks left in the ball game.
[ALSO READ: Tab Baldwin admits Ateneo ‘knocked down’ as UAAP Final Four streak comes to an end]
The rookie’s clutch make turned back the Red Warriors’ efforts to comeback from a deficit as big as 15 points. Midway through the fourth quarter, UE was ahead by five, 65-60, after a Rainer Maga triple.
But a 11-2 run by the Blue Eagles to finish the game denied UE the victory.
Sean Quitevis nailed two free throws to seal the deal for the Blue Eagles to make it a two-possession affair with 8.5 remaining in the ball game.
Ateneo thus improved their record to 4-9 with one game remaining in elimination.
Andrew Bongo was the top-scorer for Ateneo in an efficient outing where he chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists. He was a +17 in efficiency.
Four others finished in double-digit scoring for the Blue Eagles. Late-game hero Bahay had 11 markers, two rebounds, and two assists.
Josh Lazaro ended up with the double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, UE, who were playing without the services of Nigerian big man precious Momowei who was serving a suspension, were paced by Maga’s 15 points.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UE’s Precious Momowei slapped with one-game suspension]
Despite the loss, the Red Warriors remain within reach of a Final Four slot with their 6-7 slate. The Red Warriors have lost four games in a row.