MANILA, Philippines -- The University of the East Red Warriors shot down the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 74-69, on Saturday to stay alive in the Final Four race of the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Chris Javier hit seven points in a 9-0 attack by the Warriors that turned things around for them taking a 65-60 lead after being downed by four, 56-60, inside the final five minutes.
The graduating big man finished with 13 points while rising sophomore guard Clark Derige calmly sank two free throws in the dying seconds to ice the game. Derige paced the Warriors with 17 markers and five boards in ending the Eagles' five game win streak and their hopes of of a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four.
Their first win over the Eagles since 2013 gave Warriors a new lease of life but with their fate no longer in their hands. They need NU and La Salle to lose their last games to force a three-way logjam for the last Final Four berth.
Kiefer Ravena tried to rally the Eagles back in the game to pull them within three, 69-72, but Derige proved to be as clutch on the other end. Ravena's 28 points, four rebounds and four assists went for naught.