UP powers past Ateneo to block season sweep

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons completed the biggest upset of UAAP Season 84 so far with a stunning last-gasp win over the undefeated reigning champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 84-83, at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 1.

The Fighting Maroons denied the Blue Eagles a tournament sweep and an outright Finals berth. Both squads will enter the Final Four as the top two seeds after the elimination stages.

Instead of the stepladder format, the traditional Final Four will take place—with Ateneo and UP holding twice-to-beat edges over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and De La Salle Green Archers respectively.

State U immediately showed grit and determination early in the game. Carl Tamayo’s hot start from three-point range led UP’s dominant charge in the opening frame, 27-13.

Ateneo picked up the pace on both ends of the floor in the second quarter. The league’s top-seeded team, known for their quick counter attacks, mounted a 15-6 run to halt State U’s early momentum at halftime, 50-44.

The Blue Eagles closed in on State U’s vulnerable defense to make it a one-point game early in the third frame. But the Fighting Maroons left no room for their Katipunan rivals to take over as they held on to a three-point lead ahead of the closing stretch.

In the final minute of the third quarter, a frightful collision between Ateneo’s Chris Koon and CJ Cansino left UP fans distraught as the latter had to be stretchered off the court. 

The UAAP’s post-game report revealed that Cansino suffered with a dislocated patella before returning to the bench in the fourth quarter.

UP guard CJ Cansino was taken off the court with a stretcher after suffering a dislocated patella in their game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on May 1. | Photo from UAAP Media

The league’s top two teams put out an instant classic in the final frame with a back-and-forth clash until the final buzzer. 

With under a minute left to play, Ateneo’s 81-77 edge quickly vanished with Malick Diouf’s back-to-back free throws and James Spencer’s three-point dagger to give UP the lead with 40 seconds left.

After Dave Ildefonso’s prompt response for the Blue Eagles, Ricci Rivero—who struggled offensively in the game—made two clutch free throws to restore the Fighting Maroons’ advantage.

A missed game-winning attempt from SJ Belangel followed by strategic misses from Diouf sealed UP’s massive win and stopped Ateneo from completing the elimination round sweep.

Ahead of their highly-anticipated clash, the Blue Eagles had a 39-game unbeaten run in the league. Ateneo’s historic win streak, which dates back to their 83-66 thrashing of UP in Season 81, ultimately ended with the same team four years later. 

The Fighting Maroons’ last win against their Katipunan rivals was in Season 79, when State U took down the Blue Eagles by four points, 56-52 in the closing stages of a hard-fought battle.

Ateneo’s previous defeat dates back to October 10, 2018, 63-60, against current season’s fourth seed, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws.

UP Men’s Basketball Team players Ricci Rivero and Malick Diouf, and head coach Goldwin Monteverde speak to the media after their victory over Ateneo on May 1. 

Diouf, who once led Centro Escolar University to another victory over Ateneo in the 2019 PBA D-League Finals, took flight for UP with an impressive double-double performance. The Senegalese center racked up 18 big points and 16 rebounds.

UP lead tactician Goldwin Monteverde praised the team’s composure under pressure against a formidable Blue Eagles squad.

“Winning against Ateneo is a big achievement for us,” said Monteverde. “One thing good for me kanina, ‘yung team namin stayed as team no matter how close the game was.”

UP’s Final Four run begins with a twice-to-beat advantage against the third seed DLSU Green Archers on Wednesday.

QUARTER SCORES: 27-13, 50-44, 70-67, 84-83