Blue Eagles near UAAP four-peat

THE ATENEO Blue Eagles took one step closer towards their coveted four-peat after they clobbered the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 82-64, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series in the 74th UAAP basketball tournament yesterday before a packed Araneta Coliseum.

With a crowd of 18,972 witnessing the game clad in opposing green and blue, the Blue Eagles blew the game wide open in the second half, led by the perfect game of Nico Salva and the vice-like defense on last year’s MVP RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos.

Salva finished with 24 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 shooting from the line. He also had five rebounds. Kiefer Ravena finished with 17.

Terrence Romeo was the lone bright spot for FEU with 23 as Ramos and Garcia struggled, combining for just 15 markers.

Ateneo can wrap the crown up with a win in Game 2 slated on Tuesday./Correspondent Jonas Panerio