Matt Nieto emerged as Ateneo’s hero after towing the Blue Eagles to an overtime win against the hard-fighting Far Eastern University (FEU), 88-84, in their “no tomorrow” Final Four duel on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With Ateneo on the brink of crashing out in a season it dominated, Nieto scored five straight points in overtime, starting with a floater followed by a top of the key triple that gave Ateneo an 85-80 breather with 46 seconds left to play.
“I told myself that I won’t let my team down this season. We’ve been through so much, we worked really hard,” said Nieto, who finished with 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. “I want to thank Coach Sandy (Arespacochaga) for giving me the confidence, even though I was down in the game, he kept telling me that I can do it.”
Richard Escoto halted Nieto’s solo run answering with a jumper of his own to keep the Tams alive, 85-82, with 44 seconds to play. However, Isaac Go hustled for the loose ball and hit a shot while kneeling on the hardwood for a 87-82 lead with 22 ticks left.
The Tamaraws were unable to score in their next possession. Nieto was fouled in the ensuing play and split his free throws, the margin enough for the win.
“Well before the start of the game, we knew that we were up against a strong team. Credit to FEU, they played really well. We weren’t thinking that this was a 7-7 team,” Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga said. “We were ready to play a close game, and that’s what happened. Of course, credit to our players who never gave up and stayed focused and stuck to the game plan. There were ups and downs but what a great game.”
Thirdy Ravena led the Eagles with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Chiz Ikeh had 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Go added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Ateneo was in control all-game long, entering the fourth period with a 57-53 lead. But the Tams rallied their way back with a 15-2 run for a 67-59 lead with 6:20 to play. The Eagles countered with a 10-2 rally to tie the game, 69-all, until Ravena got the lead for his team 72-71.
Jasper Parker played the game of his life with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and as many as steals. He almost became FEU’s hero as he eluded defenders for a layup that gave them the lead at 73-72, then hit two more free throws for a three point cushion.
But Isaac Go was left open in rainbow territory and hit an equalizing triple.
Arvin Tolentino had eight seconds to salvage a win but he lost himself in an isolation play against Go, never even managing to get off a shot.
Tolentino and Wendell Comboy had 13 and 11 points, respectively, while graduating big man Prince Orizu had five fouls early in the fourth and finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Graduating guard Ron Dennison was limited to four points.
The Best-of-Three titular series between the Archers and the Eagles starts on Saturday at the same venue.
Image credits: Alysa Salen