UAAP: Ateneo survives NU scare, overcomes three-game slump

The Ateneo Blue Eagles pick up win #2 at the expense of the NU Bulldogs to begin the second round of UAAP Season 87.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are back on the winning list, surviving NU’s comeback attempt late in their UAAP Season 87 second-round matchup to claim a 70-68 victory at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Blue Eagles, stopped by Kristian Porter on both ends of the court, struggled against the Bulldogs, who were unable to get a shot off on their final possession. Ateneo ended a three-game losing streak with the win.

Porter made a clutch basket to give the Blue Eagles a 68-65 lead with 27.3 ticks left. Although Porter missed the bonus free throw, he made up for it with a block on Jake Figueroa at the other end on the next possession.

This forced NU to foul and sent Ian Espinosa to the foul line. Things got interesting when Espinosa split his free throws and Jolo Manansala converted a three-pointer for NU, making it a one-point game at 69-68 with 5.1 seconds left.

Even with Ateneo leaving the door open and Espinosa once again falling apart at the charity tournament, NU just couldn’t get a real lead in the final seconds.

Porter was named player of the game with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds along with two blocks, while Jared Bahay thrived with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal.

Figueroa led NU in the loss with 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.

Both teams are now 2-6 overall.