Gian Mamuyac hit a dagger triple with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter to lift Ateneo past National University, 74-64, in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament Tuesday night, April 5.
Mamuyac, who struggled from the field on a 2-of-8 shooting and finished with six points and three rebounds, came alive when it mattered the most and followed up on the joint efforts of Ange Kouame, SJ Belangel, and Dave Ildefonso down the stretch.
Ildefonso finished with 14 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting to go with three assists, Ange Kouame flirted with a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks, and Belangel contributed 11 points and seven rebounds for Ateneo.
"NU’s a good basketball team coming into this game," said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. "I think we expected that but I’m not sure we respected that enough. There is still a lot of work for us to do. I’m delighted that we got the win because NU made us fight every inch for that win."
Janjan Felicilda sparked a 7-0 run for the Bulldogs highlighted by a completed and-one play to put the game within one, 60-59, midway through the fourth quarter.
After another exchange of baskets, Reyland Torres sank another triple with 2:20 left, 67-64, to breathe life for NU.
An Ildefonso drive halted the Bulldogs' momentum before Mamuyac drained the dagger three contested by Janjan Felicilda and Raffy Verano iced the game with a layup.
The Blue Eagles remained unbeaten in five games, their 31st straight win since 2018, while the Bulldogs sustained a 2-3 record.
Reyland Torres spearheaded NU with 14 points, John Lloyd Clemente added 12 points and six rebounds, and Felicilda chipped in with 10 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Ateneo will next face winless University of the East on Thursday, April 7 at 4 p.m. while NU will clash with University of Santo Tomas in their 1 p.m. encounter.