The Ateneo Blue Eagles rode on the exploits of Kai Ballungay and Mason Amos down the stretch as they outlasted the De La Salle Green Archers, 77-72, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
It was a close game right from the start, but Amos provided the separation in the crucial part of the fourth quarter, as he knocked down back-to-back triples to give Ateneo a 70-64 lead.
De La Salle’s Kevin Quiambo answered with a triple in the ensuing play to bring his team within three points, but Ballungay and Jarred Brown scored two straight buckets to put the game out of reach.
Ballungay registered a monster double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Amos contributed 12 markers for the Eagles. Chris Koon also had a brilliant performance and finished with 19 points for Ateneo.
With the win, the Eagles tied their victims in the standings with a 1-1 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Quiambo paced the Archers with 17 points, while Evan Nelle chipped in 15 markers.
