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

La Salle lights up blue after UAAP loss to Ateneo

After suffering a loss to their arch rival Ateneo de Manila University, the De La Salle University community showed graciousness in defeat last night, as it lit the facade of the university’s iconic St. La Salle Hall blue.

The Green Archers suffered a heartbreaking loss in the men’s basketball tournament to their rivals, who snatched from them what would have been their second successive title.

In a remarkably well-fought game that featured seven deadlocks and seven lead changes, the Blue Eagles fended off the Green Archers, 88-86, in the do-or-die Game 3 of the best-of-three finals to dethrone their rivals and annex the UAAP crown.

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It was Ateneo’s first UAAP title since Season 75, when they won the last of five consecutive championships.

The act of sportsmanship was seen in a photo shared on Facebook by The LaSallian, the university’s paper.

What did you think of last night’s game? Tweet us @CoconutsManila or comment below!

with a report from ABS-CBN News

source: coconuts.co/manila

MVP to give every member of Ateneo champion squad an iPhone X

MANILA, Philippines -- Winning a title, at any sport must be a pretty fulfilling experience.

In the case of the UAAP season 80 men's basketball champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, their title win helped them avenge last year's loss at the hands of their bitter rival De La Salle University.

Aside from the emotional pain the season 79 loss Ateneo had to endure, months and months of hard work also came into play, in their search for improvement.

But all of those happened in the past. The Blue Eagles are now champions, and their main backer, Pinoy mogul Manny V. Pangilinan wasted to time in making his wards remember that hard work truly does pay:

The Blue Eagles are set to receive Apple's newest handset as a customary bonus to collegiate sports teams who win championships.

Surely, this just made Ateneo's championship victory all the more sweeter.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Meet Ateneo's rising star Tyler Tio

MANILA, Philippines – Forced to wait a season and a game before making his UAAP debut, Ateneo de Manila University guard Tyler Tio showed exactly why he was such a highly recruited prospect out of Xavier School.

In his very first game for the Blue Eagles, Tio converted all six of his shots, including two booming three-pointers in the fourth quarter that allowed Ateneo to pull away completely from University of the Philippines (UP) on Wednesday afternoon.

He finished with 14 points and two assists in Ateneo's 92-71 win in the Battle of Katipunan, after missing their Season 80 opener against Adamson University last Saturday due to an ankle sprain.

"It was a lot of fun for me," the 19-year-old rookie said afterward. "Thankfully, okay ang performance ko."

This performance was a long time coming for Tio. He was technically a part of the 2016 recruiting class, but had to sit out UAAP Season 79 due to citizenship issues: Tio only formally became a Filipino citizen earlier this year.

He was solid in Ateneo's preseason tournaments, but then sat out their first game due to injury. Tio could have been forgiven had he played with a touch of 'gigil' against the Fighting Maroons, but instead, the young guard was in control throughout his 11-minute stint.

"Of course, I was very excited to play," said Tio. "But I wasn't thinking coming into the game that I had to score this amount of points."

"I just wanted to make sure that I played correctly, and followed Coach Tab (Baldwin's) system," he added. "Thankfully, okay naman ang nangyari."

He did not play like it, but Tio admits he did feel some jitters. "I just tried my best to fight it," he said.

Mostly, Tio is simply thankful to have finally gotten the first game out of the way.

"It's been a long wait, that's for sure," says Tio. "I just used the time to get better and prepare."

Nevertheless, Tio wouldn't promise that his future performances will be as explosive as his debut. After all, he is still only in his first season, and is still working his way back from injury.

"I don't wanna say anything," he said. "I just want to try my best, and God will take care of the rest."

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 player linked to drunk driving incident

MANILA, Philippines -- The Ateneo de Manila University on Monday vowed to take action after a member of the Blue Eagles was linked to a drunk driving incident that occurred early Sunday morning.

Reserve forward John Apacible was identified as the "very drunk driver" whose car bore a "councilor" vanity plate and caused a commotion along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

A video of the incident was posted by Top Gear Philippines.



In its website, Top Gear later cited a source who claimed that the driver was a player of a UAAP basketball team.

Ateneo's University Athletics Office confirmed on Monday evening that it was indeed Apacible who was caught in the video.

"It has come to our attention that John Apacible, a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, behaved in an unacceptable manner during an early Sunday morning encounter," Ateneo athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez said in a memo.

"John deeply regrets his reprehensible behavior and sincerely apologizes to all parties concerned," he added.

Fernandez said that the Blue Eagles' team management as well as the Loyola Schools "will deal with this regrettable incident appropriately and swiftly."

Apacible is averaging 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in seven minutes of playing time per game for Ateneo in Season 78.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

When did Kiefer earn his first million?

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena, one of the most recognizable athletes in the Philippines today, is an endorser aside from being a basketball player.

ALhough he became a star because of his performance inside the basketball court, Ravena has since gained more fame because of the numerous endorsements he has with various products – some of which aren't at all related to sports.

So when did the 21-year-old Ravena earn his first million?

"I was 17," Ravena revealed to Anthony Taberna on "Tapatan Ni Tunying" on Thursday.

At the time, Ravena was coming off a spectacular high school career that saw him lead the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to a "three-peat."

Informed by Taberna that when he was 17, he was earning only P100 pesos in his job, Ravena simply smiled and said: "Sobrang blessed lang (ako)."

Aside from his endorsements, Ravena became ubiquitous due to his numerous magazine covers and television commercials. It also helps that he is active in social media and regularly engages fans.

Even though he is still an amateur player, Ravena has already earned some money because of his performance on the court.

During the awarding ceremonies of the UAAP Season 77 men's basketball tournament, Ravena walked away with a total cash prize of P280,000 after garnering several awards from the league's sponsors, while also winning the UAAP Most Valuable Player trophy.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kiefer-led charity game for Yolanda ends in draw

MANILA, Philippines – "Fastbreak 2," a charity game organized by Ateneo Blue Eagles guard Kiefer Ravena, ended in a 71-all draw at the Blue Eagle Gym on Saturday.

A slam by two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Bobby Ray Parks knotted the score at 71 moments after UAAP MVP Thirdy Ravena scored on an alley-oop dunk that temporarily gave the Blue Team a 71-69 lead.

The proceeds of the game will go towards rehabilitation efforts in the town of Concepcion in Iloilo.

Ravena explained that the town was “close to his heart,” as he has a lot of friends in the area.

“We’re trying to build as many classrooms (in Concepcio) as we can,” said Ravena. “There are only three to five classrooms left, and hopefully makapagpatayo tayo ng at least four to five classrooms para sa kanila, to start their education again.”

Parks, meanwhile, said it was a blessing for him to help the survivors of Yolanda while at the same time playing the game he loves.

“It’s a blessing to be part of it, it’s something beautiful,” said Parks. “Just to be able to help out the victims of Yolanda, especially in the best way I could – through basketball – it’s really a privilege to be here.”

Ravena had previously organized “Fastbreak 1” in January 2012, another charity game where the proceeds went to the relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Mindanao.

The former UAAP Rookie of the Year said he is hoping that there will be no need for a third “Fastbreak” event, however.

“Hopefully, wala na sana. We’re not planning any ‘Fastbreak 3’ kasi we’re not hoping for any future calamities or devastation,” he said. “But I’m sure there are other ways to have Fastbreak 3, you know, just for fun.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ateneo keeps PCCL title hopes alive

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles kept their title hopes alive by thrashing the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in the round robin Final Four of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) on Friday.

The Eagles took advantage of the Cobra’s troubled performance to register a trouble-free 96-78 win against the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champions.

Greg Slaughter, who was outdueled by Karim Abdul in the Eagles’ 76-66 loss to the UST Tigers, led Ateneo with 18 points, three rebounds and one block.

“We're a little rusty right now, so I think this [win] is good for us,” the 7-foot center said in the post-game interview.

Ateneo, led by Keifer Ravena, unleashed a 14-9 run against SWU in the first quarter.

Benoit Mbalah tried to stop the bleeding for the Cobras, but the Blue Eagles eventually posted a 23-12 advantage by the end of the first period.

Nico Salva and Chris Sumalinog teamed up for Ateneo in the second quarter to further widen the gap to 50-31 at the half.

Although SWU performed better in the third quarter when it outscored Ateneo, 24-22, it continued trailing the UAAP champion, 72-55.

The Cobras tried to maintain their run in the fourth, chopping the deficit down to 14 points, 77-62.

But Slaughter took advantage of his defenders’ foul troubles, scoring 10 points in the final period before the bench took over.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Black To Handle TNT Next

MANILA, Philippines — Handling a team that has the potential to win more UAAP men’s basketball titles may not be enough to convince Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Norman Black to return after the upcoming season.

With Greg Slaughter assuring he would be back for his final year and reigning Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena still manning the point for a few years, the Blue Eagles are once again the favorites in the 75th UAAP season in July — and maybe the next few seasons after that.

But no matter what happens to the Eagles this coming season, Black is going to step down as head coach of Ateneo, the school announced yesterday.

Ateneo President Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ, said in a letter to students and alumni that Black's decision to end a seven-year partnership with Ateneo came because of his desire to return as PBA coach, most likely with Philippine Cup champion Talk ’N Text.

"It is with regret that I inform the community that coach Norman Black has indicated his desire to return to the PBA where he hopes to replicate his successful system," Villarin said. "Having been at the PBA before, he is in a way coming full circle with this move."

It has been rumored since last year that Black, who won 10 titles as mentor of San Miguel and Sta. Lucia in the PBA, will likely fill the TNT coaching post should Chot Reyes be tapped to handle the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas program.

The Bulletin tried to contact Black but was unavailable at presstime.

There were talks of Black's potential departure after the Eagles captured their fourth straight title last October but Villarin said that "coach Norman has agreed to Ateneo's request that he coach the Blue Eagles for the 2012 season."

Villarin added that Black, who has a coaching record of 95 wins and 24 defeats since arriving in 2005, will remain with the Ateneo program as consultant for at least the next two seasons once his coaching duties end in October.

A search committee has been formed to find a successor for Black.

The group is composed of chairman Edward Go, Fr. Nemesio Que, SJ, Ricky Vargas, Jack Huang and Joey Campos. Athletic director Ricky Palou will serve as an adviser.

Black, who moonlights as TNT consultant, also guided the Sinag Pilipinas to a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games last November in Jakarta.

But before dreaming of another PBA title, Black is determined to give Ateneo a fifth straight UAAP championship.

source: mb.com.ph