NCAA champs San Beda clinch third-place finish
Make that two in a row for the Growling Tigers.
Within a span of a week, University of Santo Tomas struck again with another victory over 75th UAAP Finals foes Ateneo de Manila University in Game 1 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
The España-based squad scored an 82-76 victory over their Katipunan counterparts, in the absence of head coach Pido Jarencio who contracted measles late yesterday, to be within one game away from clinching their school’s first-ever national crown.
Despite suffering from back spasms and fatigue due to a parallel commitment with Blackwater Sports in the PBA D-League, former UAAP juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer led all scorers with 18 points and connecting for a near-perfect 9-for-11 shooting performance from the field.
Karim Abdul had 12 points and 7 rebounds, while Jeric Teng tallied 12 points and 5 assists to his name.
“Yung mga players naman, kahit paano nandoon naman at ‘di naman bumitaw. Hanggang sa dulo hindi nag-give up yung players,” said assistant coach Estong Ballesteros following the game, who called the shots for the team together with Senen Dueñas.
“Sabi ko sa mga players, depensa yung magpapanalo sa amin.”
And right on cue, the Tigers completely contained former University of Visayas behemoth Greg Slaughter, who was shut down in the crucial fourth quarter in making him attempt zero field goals and limited to one rebound.
Despite the Blue Eagles 7-0 surge that put them in the driver’s seat, the Tigers snatched away the lead for good on a 8-0 run that was punctuated by Ferrer’s fastbreak layup over the token defense of rival Kiefer Ravena.
Ryan Buenafe, who kept Ateneo within the game with his 7 points in the final 10 minutes, finished with 15 points in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, three-time defending NCAA seniors basketball champions San Beda clinched third-place over CESAFI titlists Southwestern University, 64-56.
Kyle Pascual had 14 points, while former Red Cubs Arthur dela Cruz and Baser Amer added 12 points apiece in the victory.
Benoit M’bala follows up his monster game against UST, finishing with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks to lead the Cobras.
BOX SCORES
First game
SAN BEDA (64): K. Pascual 14, Dela Cruz 12, Amer 12, Caram 11, J. Pascual 8, Koga 5, Dela Rosa 2, Mendoza 0, Ludovice 0
SOUTHWESTERN U (56): M’bala 16, Aboude 11, Nalos 11, Arong 6, Guillena 5, Ortuyo 3, Goloran 2, Bregondo 2, Dedace 0
Quarters: 12-8, 28-26, 49-49, 64-56
Second game
SANTO TOMAS (82): Ferrer 18, Abdul 12, Teng 12, Mariano 11, Afuang 10, Fortuna 9, Daquioag 4, Vigil 2, Pe 2, Bautista 2
ATENEO (76): Buenafe 15, Tiongson 13, Slaughter 12, Gonzaga 12, Ravena 11, Salva 8, Elorde 3, Golla 2, Pessumal 0, Chua 0, Porter 0, Capacio 0
Quarters: 20-19, 39-42, 60-58, 82-76
