Ateneo de Manila University overpowered Uratex with a 33-point victory, 96-63, to kickstart its run in the tournament on the opening day of the 2023 Bola TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship on Friday night at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
Kai Ballungay tallied a monster double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Eagles to their opening day triumph.
Joseph Obasa also contributed a double-double, unloading 11 markers and 11 boards on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting from the field, while Mason Amos and Jason Credo added 12 and 11 points, respectively, to help propel the Blue Eagles to victory.
Harry Nzeusseu put up 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Bam-Bam Gamalinda chipped in 16 points and five rebounds for Uratex.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran survived San Beda University’s Team Behold in an 85-84 nail-biter in their rivalry match to close the day’s quadruple-header.
With the Knights down by one, 83-84, with over a minute left in the deciding quarter, Kurt Reyson sank two crucial free throws after a costly shooting foul committed by San Beda’s Bryan Sajonia, putting Letran up by one, 85-84, with 43 seconds left to play.
Ronrei Tolentino, a transferee from Centro Escolar University, had a chance to score the clutch basket for the Red Lions but missed the putback after a well-contested drive from RC Calimag with a second left in regulation.
Reyson led the scoring for Letran, posting 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Pao Javillonar, who delivered the crucial block that denied Calimag’s supposed game-winning drive, added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Kint Ariar contributed 13 markers and seven boards.
Bryan Sajonia led San Beda with 25 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Tolentino added 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Also tallying their first wins are Corsa Tires and Far Eastern University, who defeated Benilde (89-78) and Sanzar Pharmaceuticals (81-75), respectively.
Justine Sanchez dropped a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead Corsa past his collegiate squad.
Ahron Estacio added 17 points and six assists, while actor-athlete Gerald Anderson contributed 13 markers and five boards for Corsa.
Xyrus Torres exploded for a double-double as well, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, leading the way for the Tamaraws.
Joining him in the double-double showdown are Patrick Sleat, who posted 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Cholo Anonuevo with 11 markers and 13 boards.
Will Gozum paced the Blazers with 18 points, seven rebounds, and one steal, while Raoul Odou finished with 28 points and 24 rebounds for Sanzar. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
Box Scores:
First Game
Corsa 89 – Sanchez 21, Estacio 17, Anderson 13, Ynot 10, Cunanan 8, Ndong 6, Pagulayan 6, Lepalam 2, Ortega 0
CSB 78 – Gozum 18, Corteza 16, Carlos 13, Sangco 7, Mara 6, Jarque 4, Oczon 4, Jalalon 3, Flores 3, Davis 2, Cajucom 2, Marasigan 0, Marcos 0, Nayve 0, Morales 0
Quarterscores: 26-27, 56-44, 70-57, 89-78
Second Game
FEU 81 – Torres 24, Alforque 13, Sleat 12, Anonuevo 11, Fatty 9, Tempra 6, Ona 4, Competente 2, Montemayor 0, Bagunu 0, Felipe 0, Devares 0
Sanzar 75 – Odou 28, Kone 16, Ondoa 10, Torres 8, Kawamura 7, Mailim 4, Abaoag 2, Calapine 0, Lanzar 0, Famaranco 0, Obuyes 0
Quarterscores: 18-19, 43-37, 59-53, 81-75
Third Game
Ateneo 96 – Ballungay 15, Amos 12, Credo 11, Obasa 11, Gomez 10, Koon 8, Garcia 8, Brown 6, Lazaro 6, Quitevis 5, Chiu 4, Bongo 0, Espinosa 0
Uratex 63 – Nzeusseu 23, Gamalinda 16, Bragais 10, Adeogun 9, Pasco 2, Pardo 2, Salamat 1, Rosagas 0, Gil 0, Buyco 0, Gotladera 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 45-28, 70-46, 96-63
Fourth Game
Letran 85 – Reyson 19, Javillonar 14, Ariar 13, Galvez 8, Fajardo 6, Monje 6, Nunag 6, Tolentino 4, Santos 4, Jumao-As 4, Guarino 1, Go 0
San Beda 84 – Sajonia 25, Tolentino 17, RC Calimag 14, Alloso 11, Ri. Calimag 7, Lina 4, Lopez 3, Songcuya 2, Lecciones 1, Etulle 0, Dimaculangan 0, Peregrina 0
Quarterscores: 26-29, 48-58, 65-74, 85-84
