UAAP Finals 2017:
Ateneo draws first blood, defeats DLSU 76-70
November 25, 2017 – MOA Arena
Notes:
➤ Ateneo de Manila University now holds a 1-0 advantage over DLSU in their best-of-three UAAP finals series. Four Blue Eagles scored double digits with Ravena making 12, Mike and Mark Nieto with 11 each and Anton Asistio donning 10 markers.
➤ Isaac Go was the accidental hero for Ateneo, sealing the victory for ADMU with an and-one play off the foul by Archer Kib Montalbo, pushing Ateneo to 76-70 within the last 10 seconds.
➤ The highly physical contest saw Mark Nieto falling to the floor from a wayward elbow courtesy of Ben Mbala. Both Mbala and Chibueze Ikeh were assessed technical fouls for unnecessary taunting in the second quarter. Likewise, Melecio got the unsportsmanlike foul in the same quarter.
➤ Melecio led the spirited Green Archers with 24 points on 5-of-13 shooting from rainbow country, while Rivero gave 10 markers and three caroms for DLSU. UAAP two-time MVP Mbala was held to only 8 points as he nursed his early foul woes throughout the game.
➤ De La Salle University and Ateneo will go at it again in Game 2 this Wednesday, November 29 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-14, 43-39, 60-58, 76-70.
ateneo: 76
Ravena 12, Nieto Ma 11, Nieto Mi 11, Asistio 10, Tolentino 9, Black 7, Verano 5, Go 5, Ikeh 4, Tio 2, Mamuyac 0, Mendoza 0, Porter 0.
la salle: 70
Melecio 24, Rivero R 10, Mbala 8, Tratter 7, Santillan 7, Rivero P 7, Baltazar 4, Montalbo 3, Caracut 0, Go 0, Tero 0, Paraiso 0.
Posted on November 25, 2017 - MOA Arena - Pasay
Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team
