MANILA, Philippines -- De La Salle claimed Ateneo de Manila's number anew, this time in an overtime thriller, 76-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday to take its third straight win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament.
Dodging a loss in regulation after a Kieffer Alas missed jumper, the Green Archers jumped on the Blue Eagles in the extra period where they took a 72-66 lead following a Joaquin Tovera jumper in the last 3:12.
Ateneo pulled within two, 73-75, after an Alas basket before Henry Agunane split his charities to extend La Salle's lead to three with 17.6 seconds to go.
Following two missed free throws by Vhoris Marasigan with three ticks left, the Blue Eagles had a chance to tie but Jared Bahay turned the ball over.
Doy Dungo went to the line and missed both free throws, giving Ateneo a chance to send the game to another overtime but with no timeout left, Ian Espinosa was forced to heave a shot from the Archers' court and missed.
La Salle improved to 6-4 for solo third place while Ateneo dropped to 5-5 in fifth spot behind the 5-4 Far Eastern University.
