By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Ateneo Blue Eagles ended University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 where they started — on top — but with added significance as it made league history by completing a rare sweep.

Beat the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 86-79, in Game Two of their best-of-three finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Eagles notched a third straight UAAP title and going undefeated along the way.

The season sweep was something not seen in almost three decades in the UAAP and put the Eagles in elite company, joining the University of the East (1969 and 1970), Far Eastern University (1976, 1980 and 1981) and UST (1993) as the only teams to fashion out a perfect season.

In completing the sweep, Ateneo turned to its steadiness and big-game mentality, a trademark of the team all season long, to overcome the gallant fight the Tigers put up in trying to extend the series.

Led by Thirdy Ravena the Eagles soared early, dominating the opening quarter on their way to a 31-18 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.

In the second frame, the Tigers fought on a firmer footing, with Soulemane Chabi Yo and Mark Nonoy getting UST’s offense humming.

But the Eagles would stand their ground, holding a 42-32 advantage at the half.

Off the reboot, the two teams went at it at the onset.

The Tigers though would get significant headway on the lead of Rhenz Abando and Nonoy.

They pulled to within two points, 62-60, with 1:30 remaining in the frame.

Ateneo eventually survived the UST onslaught as it was still up, 67-62, heading into the fourth canto.

The Tigers kept the pressure on the Eagles to begin the last quarter, crowding the latter, 67-66, with eight minutes to play.

Ateneo, however, steadied its ship in the next two minutes, creating more breathing space, 72-66.

The Tigers tried to claim some real estate back after only to find an Ateneo squad not a willing party.

The count was at 83-71 in favor of the Eagles entering the last two minutes.

Sherwin Concepcion drained a triple for UST at the 1:35 mark to cut its deficit to nine points, 83-74.

Like what they had been doing all game long though, the Eagles had answers.

It was an 86-79 affair for Ateneo with 34 ticks to go and it was a hole UST would not be able to recover from as the Eagles closed out things and claimed the title.

Ravena led the way for Ateneo with 17 points, followed by SJ Belangel and Matt Nieto with 14 points each.

For UST it was Mr. Abando who led with 16 points, backstopped by Nonoy and Chabi Yo with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

“16-0 was something we never really dreamed of. But it was dream season for us definitely. All these guys put in the work and sacrifice and this the result of that,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin after Game Two.

The latest title was the 11th for the Eagles in the UAAP.

PLAYER AWARDEES
Right before the start of Game Two, season individual awards were handed out.

Leading the honor roll was UST’s Chabi Yo, hailed as league most valuable player.

Joining him in the mythical team selection were the La Salle duo of Justine Baltazar and Jamie Malonzo; University of the Philippines’ Kobe Paras; and University of the East’s Rey Suerte.

The Rookie of the Year award went to Mark Nonoy also of UST.

Besides the usual citations, two student-athletes were also given special awards by the league’s sponsors.

Ateneo’s Ravena was adjudged as the PSBank Bankable Player of the Season while his teammate Will Navarro was given the AXA Know You Can Player of the Season.

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