ATENEO threw the first punch, but again, the University of the Philippines knew exactly how to fight back.
The Fighting Maroons found themselves working from behind against the Blue Eagles yet again, but drew from a familiar script to pull off an 82-74 victory and clinch their eighth straight Final Four berth on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Just like in the first Battle of Katipunan of UAAP Season 89, Ateneo came out firing and had UP on the ropes early.
But just like that game, State U turned it on right after halftime, riding Elliott Dimaculangan's hot hands in a 14-5 spurt that wrested both the lead and the momentum for good.
Playoff Maroons
UP's ninth win in 11 games gave it the benchmark it needed to catch the first bus to the Final Four, keeping the longest-actice postseason streak intact.
“Always happy kasi siyempre, unang goal namin is to reach the Final Four. Nabigyan kami ng challenge and credit to these guys on how they responded during the game when it really counts,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Veejay Pre again led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points, Rainer Maga and Dimaculangan added 13 apiece, and Dikachi Ududo chipped in 10.
On the other hand, another hot start by the Blue Eagles ended in familiar frustration.
Kieffer Alas scored 14 points and Jared Bahay had 13, but their first-half surge faltered late anew to see them slip to 5-6 following back-to-back losses to rivals La Salle then UP.
The Scores:
UP 82 — Pre 16. Maga 13, Dimaculangan 13, Ududo 10, Payosing 7, Bayla 5, Remogat 5, Yñiguez 5, Briones 3, Setevens 2, Palanca 2, Alter 1.
ATENEO 74 — Alas 14, Bahay 13, Espinosa 9, Tuano 9, Rogers 8, Roberts 7, Kapihe 6, Baruwa 4, Bongo 4, Espina 0, Leal 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 36-39, 64-57, 82-74.
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