Basketball God Prepared a Winner-Take-All Game 3 Between DLSU and Ateneo

The game 2 of the UAAP 80 men's basketball between the arch-rival Ateneo Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers is one for the ages. Another great story was added between the rivalry of the two teams as the Green Archers had their biggest comeback in the biggest stage of the competition.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles looked poised and eager earlier in game 2 of the UAAP 80 men's basketball as they took a lead as high as 20 points in the first quarter. The Blue Eagles took a 32-15 lead against the Green Archers as they shot the lights out and the Green Archers had a slow start. Ricci Rivero and Ben Mbala were forced to sit down as they picked up 2 early fouls individually. The Blue Eagles took advantage of the absence of Mbala from the inside and also executed their plays very well that made their shooters open.

In the second quarter, the Green Archers bounced back as they made a run and they outscored the Blue Eagles 27-19. However, the struggle continued for the Green Archers as Mbala had 3 fouls and Ricci Rivero had 4. Andrei Caracut and Kib Montalbo took the game into their hands as both led the defense and offense for the Green Archers and they were able to cut the lead to just 9 at the end of the first half.

It is in the second half that things got interesting. The hot hands of Ateneo that shot 6 for 12 from the three-point line got cold as they only made one of their eleven attempts beyond the arc. The Green Archers took advantage of the struggling Ateneo and Ricci Rivero whose eyes were filled with tears when he committed his 4th foul during the first half is now filled with fire. The Green Archers ignited their run with an alley-oop made by Mbala. The Blue Eagles struggled and only scored 8 points while the Green Archers scored 26 big points.

The Green Archers did not look back in the fourth quarter and sealed the game. DLSU won 92-83.  Ben Mbala finished with 20 points while Ricci Rivero finished the game with 18 points. Andrei Caracut and Aljun Melecio had 13 and 12 points respectively.

Thirdy Ravena led the scoring for the Blue Eagles with 20 points and Aron Black contributed 15 points. Asistio and Isaac Go also had 13 points and 11 points respectively.

The game 3 will happen on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum and the rivalry between this two schools will just get better. Only the basketball god knows what is destined and Ateneo and De La Salle are both ready to meet their destiny.