UAAP finals: Ateneo lifer Matt Nieto comfortable with any role if it leads to winning

MANILA, Philippines—After tallying a career-best 27 points in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball finals, Matt Nieto was limited to just six points in Game 2 on Wednesday and yet the Ateneo guard could not be happier about it.

Nieto was the hero of the Blue Eagles' 88-79 triumph over University of the Philippines in last Saturday's Game 1, as he knocked down big shot after big shot in the fourth quarter to hold off the Fighting Maroons.

In Game 2, however, Nieto finished with only 6 points on 3-of-9 shooting, though he added 3 rebounds and 5 assists in 26 minutes of action. The Blue Eagles didn't need him to hit clutch shots, as they routed UP 99-81 to secure a second straight men's basketball title.

"First quarter pa lang, they put a defensive player sa akin, si Jarell (Lim), but you know that scoring isn't the first option for me, so I was really happy that they were guarding me, because I can set up my teammates," said Nieto.

Nieto spent the game setting the table for his teammates, with Ange Kouame and Thirdy Ravena being his primary beneficiaries. The highlight of the game came with 62 seconds left, when he dished off to Ravena for a two-handed jam.

"I saw Thirdy, he was in the zone, so I really tried to look for him," said Nieto, who added that he would have loved for Ravena to reach 40 points. Ravena, the eventual finals MVP, settled for a career-best 38.

"He really deserves that, kaya binigay ko sa kaniya 'yung points na 'yun. Because we know, deserving siya."

Ravena was no slouch in Game 1, putting up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. He and Nieto were hailed as the heroes then, but Nieto didn't mind ceding the spotlight to his teammate for the title-clinching game.

"Sabi niya nga, kaming dalawa 'yung nagdala ng Game 1. Sabi ko wala 'yun," he said.

" 'Yung Game 2 dapat, gusto ko kahit mababa 'yung score ko, basta 'yung lead namin malaki," Nieto stressed. "Mas pipiliin ko na manalo kami na 'yung margin (ganito), kesa 'yung hard-fought game na nag-27 ako."

"So I will choose to win in a blowout, kesa 'yung gitgitan na 27 points ako. I will take that every time."

Nieto, an Ateneo student since the preparatory level, has now won two championships on the collegiate level after winning one title in high school. He is hoping that in his final year in Season 82, he and twin brother Mike will graduate as champions.

"I wanna end my college career on a winning note," said Nieto. "Kasi after next year, 16 years in Ateneo, I will be graduating already, and I wanna end on a winning note, and I hope that my teammates will be there for me."

"(But) now, it's time to celebrate," he added.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Ateneo's Apacible suspended for rest of UAAP second round

MANILA, Philippines –  Ateneo forward John Apacible has been suspended for the rest of the UAAP Season 78 second round following his involvement in a drunk driving incident early Sunday morning that has since gone viral around social media.

Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo confirmed that Apacible will not play in the Blue Eagles' remaining games in the second round of the tournament.



A video posted by Top Gear Philippines on Sunday evening showed a visibly drunk Apacible bragging about a "councilor" vanity plate while cursing and shouting along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Ateneo's University Athletics Office on Monday evening called Apacible's behavior "reprehensible" and "unacceptable," and said both the team and the school will deal with the incident.

Quimpo, in a message to Ateneo's The Guidon on Monday evening, also said that Apacible will not be allowed to practice with the team as he is set to face "disciplinary actions."

According to Quimpo, Apacible has apologized to the whole Ateneo team, including the coaching staff and management, and the rest of the Blue Eagles "will be supporting him through this trying time."

The incident drew the ire of many on social media, with netizens believing that Apacible should face greater punishment for his actions.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ateneo student kidnapped inside campus

MANILA – A kidnapping incident took place inside the campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City last month, a university official confirmed.

In a statement dated November 29, ADMU Vice Presdent for Administration Fr. Nemesio Que, SJ said a student of the Loyola Schools was abducted inside the north car park of the campus between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. last November 21, Thursday.

The university did not release any more information about the student, but assured that the latter is now in safe condition after being released.

"We wish to assure the University community that the student was released, unharmed, and that no ransom was paid. By God's grace, our student has returned to the campus and now attends classes," Que said.

Que said that in the wake of the incident, the university is putting in place immediate and short-term measures while studying more long-term policies.

He added the university has decided to install additional lighting and deploy more roving guards in the parking areas.

Likewise, stricter rules will also be enforced in the entry and exit of people and vehicles on campus. Some alternate entry points will also be closed.

"For this reason, we earnestly request the full cooperation of each member of the Ateneo community as we implement additional measures. Let us all remember that as a community, it is incumbent upon us to do our part," Que said.

Que appealed to everyone to "report any suspicious characters or behavior to the university's Security Office at 426-6001 loc 4111; mobile 0999-992-5715; or the ADSA Hotline 0920-914-2372. May I also remind all students, faculty and employees to wear their ID cards at all times."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com