The winner of Matt Nieto's match is Chinese Taipei-Blue

Posted 21:39, 21 July 2018

Updated 22h05, 21 July 2018 [19659004] GAME HERO . Matt Nieto beats the buzzer to lead the Ateneo surprise of the host team. Photo of the file by Josh Albelda / Rappler "data-parentid =" "

GAME HERO Matt Nieto beats the buzzer to lead the Ateneo surprise of the host team Photo by Josh Albelda / Rappler

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (UPDATE) – The all-Philippine-Ateneo Blue Eagles surprised the Chinese national team Taipei-Blue, 77-76, to stay in the race for a podium in the 40th William Jones Cup in New Taipei City, Saturday, July 21.

Thirdy Ravena was named for a foul on Chen Ying-Chun over the latest possession of Chinese Taipei, which sank the free throws that gave the Team host 76-74 with a lead of 3.1 seconds in regulation.

But Matt Nieto – after the last timeout of Ateneo – was left wide open for the triumph of self-control who sealed the deal with 0.2 left.

led Blue Eagle's balanced attack with 13 points and two passes Rookie William Navarro continued his strong performance against Lithuania with 11 points, 9 rebounds, a steal and a block at 19 minutes of play.

Philippines-Ateneo stayed in 4th place with a record of 5- 2 behind Canada, Iran and South Korea, who are stuck in a tie at 3 to 6-1. The Chinese Taipei – Blue slipped to 5th place at 4-3

If the Blue Eagles win it on Sunday, July 22 against Iran, they are assured of third place, though that is not the case. he arrives in Canada and South Korea. Ateneo's victory, coupled with losses for Canada and South Korea, would keep the Blue Eagles in third place despite a tie at 3-2 since both teams won the Blue Eagles.

Chun Ying-Chun escaped for the flight and the score put Chinese Taipei up to one, 70-69, at the 2:47 mark of the 4th quarter. On the other end, however, Navarro was left wide open in the corner and quickly sank the triple green light for the Blue Eagles, 72-70.

Chinese Taipei then slowed down, caught a few fouls and made 4 free throws, 74-72. So they could not convert the time off, Ravena sending the ball to Gian Mamuyac for lay-up, 74.

A reinvigorated Chinese Taipei-Blue orchestrated a 12-3 run to start the second halftime. , 47-41, who was broken by a two-handed Angelo Kouame flush out a Mamuyac feed midway through the 3rd

turnovers repeatedly harassed the Blue Eagles, but the sniper Anton Asistio has shot two long straight bombs to grab the lead back, 57-56, at the end of the period. Ateneo-PH, however, has registered 8 gifts in this single quarter, against only 10 in the whole match against Lithuania.

These back-and-forth attacks also characterized the first two quarters, when Ateneo-PH took the lead against the Chinese. The best players from Taipei, 36-35, at the half, and equalized 18-all after the first.

Liu Cheng led the Chinese Taipei with 24 points on a 9-on-14 shot (64%) with 10 boards to complete the double-double. Ying-Chun was awarded 17 points, 5 boards and 5 assists in the staggering loss.

Sheet music:

PH-Ateneo (77) – Nieto, Ma. 13, Navarro 11, Kouame 8, Tio 8, Ravena 7, Mamuyac 7, Wong 6, Verano 6, Nieto , Mi. 4, Go 4, Maagdenberg 3, Mendoza 0

Chinese-Blue Taipei (76) – Cheng 24, Ying-Chun 17, Yi-Hsiang 12, Long-Mao 9, Po-Chen 6, Guan-Quan 6, Douglas 2, Chun-Yen 0, Yu-An 0, Zhi-Wei 0, Huang 0

Quarterly: 18-18, 36-35, 57-56, 77-76

– Rappler .com