Matt Nieto was the hero for Ateneo against Letran. File/Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines—The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles hacked out a 74-72 win over the gritty Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights to advance to the Final 4 of the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup on Thursday.

The Blue Eagles had just arrived in the country on Wednesday night following a training camp in Greece, and the UAAP champions were given all they can handle by the gutsy Knights, led by veterans JP Calvo and Bong Quinto.

But the Knights faltered in the end game, as Matt Nieto came up with a pair of baskets to push the Blue Eagles to victory.

Ateneo will play fellow UAAP contender Far Eastern University in the semifinals on Friday. In the other semis pairing, defending champion San Beda takes on upstart College of St. Benilde.

Matt and Mike Nieto each scored nine points for the Blue Eagles, while foreign student-athlete Angelo Kouame had eight points and 13 rebounds. Thirdy Ravena had six points, playing just 20 minutes for the Blue Eagles.

"Medyo halata naman po noong first half na medyo inaantok pa 'yung ibang players," Mike Nieto said after the game, revealing that they arrived in Manila about 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

"But kagaya ng sinabi ni coach Sandy (Arespacochaga), we have no excuses. We started off flat, and mali na rin namin 'yun. Good thing na lang, nakahabol kami noong second half, and good thing na lang na sinwerte kami noong dulo."

READ: San Beda, CSB dispatch UAAP foes to set up semis showdown

It was a back-and-forth game that featured eight deadlocks and eight lead changes in the final quarter alone. The Knights last took the lead at 72-70, when Quinto recovered the ball after Christian Fajarito was blocked by Angelo Kouame, and scored the clutch putback.

Off a timeout, the Blue Eagles were able to get Matt Nieto open off double-screens by Kouame and Anton Asistio. The veteran point guard converted the bucket to tie the game, and was fouled on the play as well. He could not convert the bonus free throw, but the Blue Eagles regained possession after Letran's Bonbon Batiller failed to gain control of the ball.

Running virtually the same play in the next possession, Matt Nieto was again able to drive to the hoop for the go-ahead lay-up with just 5.4 seconds to play.

Letran still had a chance, but Jeo Ambohot's three-point attempt at the buzzer clanged off the back of the rim as time expired.

It was Ateneo's tenth straight win of the tournament after winning all nine of their games in the preliminary round.

"During the times na medyo down kami and lamang ang Letran, we just stuck to the game plan of Coach Sandy, and we just stuck together," said Mike Nieto afterward.

Despite the loss, it was an impressive performance for the Knights who came close to handing Ateneo its first loss of the tournament and knocking out the Blue Eagles from the playoffs.

Calvo had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Batiller finished with 13 points. Quinto, Fajarito, and Larry Muyang each scored 10 points for the Knights, who bowed out of the preseason tilt with a 5-4 win-loss slate.

The scores:

ATENEO 74 — Ma. Nieto 9, Mi. Nieto 9, Kouame 8, Asistio 6, Ravena 6, Wong 6, Navarro 5, Tio 5, Verano 5, Belangel 4, Go 4, White 3, Maagdenberg 2, Mendoza 2, Andrade 0, Black 0, Mamuyac 0.

LETRAN 72 — Calvo 16, Batiller 13, Fajarito 10, Muyang 10, Quinto 10, Celis 4, Agbong 2, Balagasay 2, Balanza 2, Yu 2, Ambohot 1, Mandreza 0, Taladua 0.

Quarter-scores: 15-17, 30-35, 56-52, 74-72.

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