MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion Ateneo is still alive and kicking.
The Blue Eagles scored a coast-to-coast 70-48 win over the Adamson Falcons in their knockout setto to earn the last ticket to the UAAP Season 86 Final Four yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles took flight with an 8-0 start and never set their foot on the ground, leading by as many as 25 points en route to the big win that kept their title defense hopes alive.
Ateneo goes up against Katipunan neighbor and top-ranked University of the Philippines next, needing to win two in a row to make the Last Dance.
Red-hot La Salle, the No. 2 squad, will also enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage against third-ranked National University in the other semifinal pairing.
Jared Brown stood at the forefront of the their crucial barrage, firing away 20 points on four treys laced by four rebounds, four assists and a steal as Ateneo emerged triumphant in the KO setto with Adamson and thus stretched its run of Final Four appearances under the watch of Tab Baldwin.
Sean Quitevis (11) and Mason Amos (10) chipped in key contributions while Kai Ballungay (7-7-4-2) and Joseph Obasa (4-16-2) anchored Ateneo’s defensive masterclass.
“I guess probably on the scoreboard, maybe it didn’t look like a tough game in the end. But it was very tough game. It always is with Adamson,” said Baldwin.
“We’re very happy with the results and obviously, our mind has shifted over on UP, beginning our preparations immediately.”
Ateneo, in a shaky title defense this season following the departure of its championship core, split its season series with Adamson with both games going down to the wire.
But not this time around.
With Brown waxing hot early, Ateneo took a commanding 40-26 lead at the turn on its way to the blowout win.
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