Ateneo outplays St. Benilde
ATENEO de Manila made it two wins in a row by beating Ls Salle-College of St. Benilde, 85-78, in the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
Kai Ballungay stood at the helm of the Blue Eagles’ victory as he finished with 19 points in another brilliant offensive game for the Quezon City-based Eagles.
The 6-7 Ballungay, who also had a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds Ateneo’s 96-63 victory over Uratex last Friday, added eight rebounds, and two assists in the Blue Eagles’ effort against the Blazers.
Actually, the Blue Eagles started slow and allowed the Blazers to open hostilities with back-to-back baskets.
But right after a Joseph Obasa block on Will Gozum and a Kai Ballungay jumper that began a 13-0 run, Ateneo surged ahead and eventually took control of the game.
By the second quarter, the Blue Eagles established their largest lead at 16 points, 39-23, and they seemed to be on their way to a blowout win.
The Blazers, however, would not give up easily.
They went on a 9-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to cut the lead down to seven, 75-68, with 4:59 remaining.
Ballungay and Obasa then finally put the game away for Ateneo as they connived on a 10-2 run to put the lead back to 15, 85-70, with 2:26 remaining.
Miggy Corteza scored on a dunk, while Migs Oczon hit back-to-back threes to give CSB a strong finish despite the defeat.
Obasa barely missed on a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points alongside two assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Oczon led St. Benilde, which fell to 0-2, with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Corteza added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
In other games, Sanzar Pharmaceutical humbled San Beda, 74-58; Far Eastern University overpowered Pilipinas Aguilas, 87-74;and University of Perpetual Help downed Corsa, 78-75.
The scorres
First game
Ateneo (85) – Ballungay 19, Obasa 9, Gomez 8, Nieto 8, Quitevis 7, Brown 6, Koon 6, Credo 6, Tuano 4, Chiu 4, Garcia 3, Amos 3, Lazaro 2.CSB (78) – Oczon 17, Corteza 13, Sangco 9, Nayve 9, Mara 9, Gozum 8, Marasigan 7, Jarque 4, Turco 2, Jalalon 0, Marcos 0, Cajucom 0, Flores 0, Davis 0, Morales 0.
Quarterscores: 27-17, 47-34, 65-52, 85-78.
Second game
Sanzar (74) – Odou 32, Torres 15, Kone 14, Famaranco 7, Ondoa 4, Kawamura 2, L. Lanzar 0, Jolangcob 0, Calapine 0, Villapando 0, Obuyes 0, Mailim 0, F. Lanzar 0, Bitoy 0. San Beda (58) – Sajonia 12, Ri. Calimag 10, Tolentino 9, Songcuya 8, Alloso 7, RC Calimag 5, Lina 3, Lecciones 2, Mundas 2, Etulle 0, Mina 0, Peregrina 0, Hawkins 0.
Quarterscores: 11-17, 38-37, 55-53, 74-58
Third game
FEU (87) – Torres 21, Sleat 13, Competente 12, Anonuevo 10, Alforque 8, Ona 6, Fatty 6, Felipe 5, Bagunu 3, Tempra 2, Konateh 1 Pilipinas Aguilas (74) – Ramirez 29, Toba 13, Enguio 12, Bederi 9, Aviso 6, A. Elorde 3, Mahilum 2, G. Elorde 0, Dimaunahan 0, Daez 0, Arciaga 0, Bessala 0, Caldozo 0, Labarda 0, Partosa 0.
Quarterscores: 16-29, 38-43, 63-63, 87-74.