Ateneo de Manila University claimed its 12th UAAP title, dethroning defending champion University of the Philippines, 75-68, in Game 3 of Season 85 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum late Monday, 19 December.
The Blue Eagles made sure there won’t be a repeat of their heartbreaking loss to the Fighting Maroons in Season 84 last May. As the Maroons closed in, 67-70, with 12.3 seconds remaining, BJ Andrade calmly sank two free throws for the coup de grace.
Finals MVP Ange Kouame delivered a monster performance in his final season with Ateneo, pumping in 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
James Spencer’s 14 markers and two boards for UP wasn’t enough to make it a back-to-back title reign.
The scores:
ATENEO (75) — Kouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0.
UP (68) — Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Lina 0.
QUARTERS: 30-14, 47-32, 60-52, 75-68.
