The biggest,loudest and the popular rivalry in the UAAP will entertain the nation once again as the newest basketball showdown is coming. La Salle and Ateneo will again square-off in the finals at the 71st UAAP Mens basketball this September 21. Disposing their respective counterparts of Far Eastern University and University of the East in the semifinals,respectively, the two teams are aching for the much awaited and historic match-up in the UAAP Finals.
La-Salle was the first to enter in the finals with a squeaker of a win against the talented Far eastern University. The Tamarraws held off the lead and once led 10 points in the first half, only to lose the lead in the closing 2 minutes in the fourth quarter. James Mangahas provides the spark for the Archers in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 20 points, including the go-ahead three point-play in the dying seconds of the game. FEU has the chance to send the game into overtime with Marc Baracael shooting 2 free throws. Under extreme pressure, Baracael missed the first and eventually missed the second. That was the last hope for the Tamarraws as they have missed the Finals once again. The Archers is 12 out of 12 when capturing the twice-to-beat advantage barging into the finals.
In the next game, Ateneo Blue Eagles showed why they are the number one team in the eliminations as they clobbered University of the East 70-50. It was a hard fought battle in the first quarter as the Red Warriors led by five points with James Martinez making 5 straight points. They even led by 6 points 11-5. That would be the last ditch effort for the Warriors as the Blue Eagles finally found their mark. Jai Reyes and Eric Salamat provide the explosion in the first quarter as they combined for 13 points in the first quarter alone. Back to back treys by Reyes and a basket by Salamat, brought the lead back to Ateneo 13-11 and eventually stretched their lead to 11 points 32-21 as Al-Hussaini provides the added lift for the Eagles. In the third quarter, Nonoy Baclao takes over. His all round performance was very evident in the third quarter, providing hustle points and key defensive stops as the Eagles have the lead of 28 points 56-28 bridging from the third to the fourth quarter. The Ateneo Blue Eagles never look back as they barged into the finals once again after a one year absence. They will face their long time nemesis La Salle University.
Ateneo de Manila University vs De La Salle University Green Archers will resume its finals showdown on September 21, 2008. This would be an exciting and grueling match-up!!!
