Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) escaped with a 71-70 win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball season yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 60-53 early into the fourth period, AdMU banked on inside hits by Angelo Kouame, William Navarro, and Gian Mamuyac for a 64-62 edge. However, UST then took a 67-64 lead on free throws by Sherwin Concepcion and a Renzo Subido triple but AdMU answered with hits from Ferdinand ‘Thirdy’ Ravena III and Kouame foe, regaining the advantage, 68-67.
UST later had another chance to take the lead but Kouame foiled Soulemane Chabi Yo’s basket as Ravena extended AdMU’s edge to 70-67 off two free throws; UST could have tied things up but Crispin Cansino missed his triple.
Mike Nieto then gave AdMU a 71-67 edge before Subido nailed a triple at the buzzer as AdMU escaped with a one-point win.
Ravena finished the game with a double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Kouame chipped in with 11 points and 10 boards./ASC, WDJ