Ateneo wins UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball Crown

The Ateneo Blue Eagles proved to be too much for the La Salle Green Archers to handle, as they (ADMU) finished off this season's championship series at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum with 62 - 51 win to sweep the Archers.

First, the Eagles main men romped off with most of the major awards in men's basketball and then the Blue Eagles romped off with the championship with their tremendous defense.

Chris Tiu, playing his final game in the UAAP bounced back from a lackluster game 1 performance to put Ateneo in commanding 41 - 26 first half lead. Then, Ateneo's defense took over in the second half to finish off the Archers in this finals series.

As expected, La Salle started full of energy with hopes of extending the series.

Things don't look good for the Eagles as this season's MVP Al Hussaini picked up two early fouls and sat out the whole half.

Well, there was no need to worry because Team Captain Chris Tiu was there to take over. He scored 9 points in the second quarter to lead his team. Jobe Nkemakolam gave Ateneo a huge lift from the bench as he delivered 8 points for the half.

After the spirited start, La Salle committed so many fouls. Main gunner Casio, had 3 while Maierhoffer had a Technical foul.

Nevertheless, the defending champion Archers never did go out without a fight.

JV Casio rallied them in the third quarter. His fourth trey of the period trimmed down Ateneo's lead to six, 43 - 49.

But that rally was negated by the succeeding turn of events.

Rico Maierhoffer was thrown out of the game after incurring his second technical foul on a controversial call apparently for giving the dirty finger sign to a blue eagle.

And then Casio picked up his fourth foul after Mangahas made a trey to help La Salle inched closer 46 - 50.

Though the fourth quarter started with Ateneo just ahead by three, 50 - 47, it was clear that La Salle is at a disadvantage.

The last quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to score a basket. But Ateneo gained headway because of free throws. In a tighly-called game, La salle was on the wrong end of the calls.

Ateneo scored 5 of their first eight points on the charity line to stay ahead 55 - 49 with less than four minutes left to play.

With Maierhoffer's ejection, La Salle has only Casio to turn to which was greatly anticipated by the Eagles.

Casio warded off Jai Reyes for an offensive foul to foul out of the game. This is also his last collegiate basketball game. This practically doomed La Salle's caused.

As what Ateneo has done all season long, their defense was enough to thwart any attempt of La Salle into extending this finals series.

After a Reyes conversion inside to helped Ateneo to 59 - 49 lead with only 1:21 left, the sea of blue started off the championship celebration.

It was a great revenge for Ateneo as they swept La Salle not only on the series but on the whole season. Last years, the Archers won only two out of their five meetings to eliminate them in the final four.

Nonoy Baclao was adjudged the most valuable player in the finals series as his performance spearheaded Ateneo's tremendous defense that won them the championship.