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The defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles leaned on their battle-tested experience to defeat the University of the East Red Warriors, 78-71, in Game 1 of the best-of-three UAAP Finals yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles turned to former MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini for crucial baskets in the clutch and the big man delivered as he sank six straight points in the final two minutes of the match to secure the victory for his squad.
True to form when going up against the smaller frontline of UE, the 6-foot-6 slotman scored 28 points and had 14 rebounds.
UE came all the way back from 17-point deficit at 16-33, and took the lead at the turn, 35-34, behind a sizzling 19-1 burst.
But Ateneo asserted its might in the third period, taking back a 57-53 lead heading into the final stanza.
The Red Warriors banked on Paul Lee to come to within three, 57-60. But Ateneo?s Jai Reyes sank back-to-back trifectas while Kirk Long added one of his own to push Ateneo to a 69-61 advantage. Al-Husseini sealed the win with two jumpers and a floater.
Lee had 15 points for UE.
Game 2 will be on Sunday at the same venue.
