No Automatic Finals Birth: La Salle stunned Ateneo to Force a Final Four

We will have a Final 4 as La Salle denies Ateneo's attempt to sweep the eliminations by winning their match up earlier, 79 to 76.

A win by Ateneo will send them directly to the Finals but La Salle crashed the party.

Ateneo was in cruise control and was able to lead as much as 12 points and had enough lead midway 4th quarter but it's La Salle's MAYHEM defense which helped them to inch closer.

Only down by 1, La Salle gave the ball to their co-captain, Kib Montalbo who drove to the paint once then dropped a floater to give them the lead.

Ateneo had a chance to take back the lead but Isaac Go missed a semi-hook shot over the outstretched arms of Ben Mbala. Then Ricci Rivero sunk 2 crucial freebies to seal the deal for the Green Archers.

Ben Mbala led La Salle with 28 points, 19 rebounds, 6 steals and 6 blocks while Ricci Rivero managed to chip in 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go and Matt Nieto combined for 40 points for Ateneo.

Box Scores:

DLSU 79 – Mbala 28, Rivero R 21, Tratter 8, Santillan 7, Melecio 6, Montalbo 6, Go 3, Caracut 0, Rivero P 0, Baltazar 0, Paraiso 0

ATENEO 76 – Ravena 15, Go 13, Nieto Ma 12, Verano 9, Mendoza 7, Asistio 6, Tolentino 6, Ikeh 4, Porter 3, Nieto Mi 1, Mamuyac 0, Black 0

Quarter Scores: 17-22, 37-35, 54-63, 79-76

ADDITIONAL:

~ Ben Mbala hurt his elbow midway through the 3rd quarter.

~ Too many missed calls from the referee including a tripping incident involving Ateneo's Mamuyac and La Salle's Ben Mbala.

~ Final four will begin next weekend.

~ It was a highly physical game that resulted to 49 total fouls and 48 free throws.