MANILA - The defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles (AdMU) kept the top spot after pulling off its biggest comeback this season.
 
Rabeh Al-Hussaini led Ateneo in a 74-73 squeaker over hard-luck Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws at the end of the elimination round in the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
 
Struggling all throughout the game, the foul-saddled Rabeh Al-Hussaini hit the basket on a beautifully executed drop pass from Eric Salamat in the final 14.3 seconds.
 
It was enough to pull off a victory for the Blue Eagles, who charged back from 18 points down before the payoff period.
 
Down by just two points at 74-73, FEU got a chance to send the game to overtime when Reil Cervantes fished Al-Hussaini’s fifth foul in the last 2.1 seconds.

Cervantes, however, missed the second of two charities that could have extended the game.

For a while, the Tamaraws appeared headed to a rousing victory when it erected an 18-point lead, 57-39, late in the third period.
 
But Jai Reyes, Eric Salamat and the come-backing Noy Baclao combined for a huge 22-4 run as Ateneo got its first taste of the lead, 62-61, with just 4:28 remaining.
 
“Mission accomplished as far as getting the no.1 spot is concern. We just need to win one (against UST) in the Final Four to get back in the finals,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black, who has led the team to two straight 13-1 elimination records.
 
The American coach, who has 10 PBA championships, underscored the importance of this game for them.
 
“This game is important for us because we got the momentum if ever we’ll face them again later. We struggled against their zone, but Rabeh (Al-Hussaini) and Noy (Baclao) came up huge,” said Black.
 
Al-Hussaini had only seven points after getting two quick fouls in the first half, but scored the most important basket in the game on the well-drawn winning play.
 
Baclao, now fully recovered from a hand injury he sustained in their game against La Salle, grabbed a personal season-high 18 rebounds that went with 12 points and two blocks.
 
The tandem of Reyes and Salamat led Ateneo’s scoring onslaught as they combined for 33 points, including 6 three-pointers, while bucking the ejection of Nico Salva due to a punching foul.
 
It was a sorry loss for the Tamaraws despite drawing a career effort from Paul Sanga and Aldrech Ramos.

Sanga fired 19 points on 5-of-11 three-point shooting, while Ramos registered a double-double on 16 points and 16 rebounds.

They closed the eliminations with an 11-3 record, just a game ahead of UE (10-4), whom they will face in the Final Four.
 
Ateneo will face fourth-ranked UST on Sunday, September 20, while the FEU-UE tussle will be played on Saturday, September 19. Both games are scheduled at 3:30 p.m.
 
Ateneo and FEU both hold twice-to-beat edge against their opponents. By Alder T. Almo
 
The Scores:
 
ADMU 74 – Salamat 20, Reyes 13, Buenafe 12, Baclao 12, Al-Hussaini 7, Monfort 6, Long 4, Sumalinog 0, Salva 0, Chua 0, Austria 0.
 
FEU 73 – Sanga 19, Ramos 16, Garcia 8, Barroca 8, Cervantes 7, Cawaling 6, Tanuan 4, Knuttel 4, Vinluan 1, Caluag 0.
 
Quarters: 11-22, 32-35, 42-57, 74-73.  

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