Ateneo de Manila University cruised past College of Saint Benilde, securing an 85-78 triumph and taking pole position in Group A of the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Pinas Championship on Saturday at Villar Coliseum.
Kai Ballungay led the Blue Eagles with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Joseph Obasa barely missed a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points, accompanied by two assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Every Blue Eagle fielded scored in the contest.
The Blazers, who dropped to 0-2, were led by Miguel Oczon with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Miggy Corteza added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Earlier in the day, Far Eastern University also took the lead in Pool B after giving the Pilipinas Aguilas a rude welcome with an 87-74 victory.
Xyrus Torres once again starred for the Tamaraws, now 2-0 in Group B, with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three steals off the bench.
Patrick Sleat added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals off the bench, while Renzo Competente put up 12 points, two rebounds, and one assist.
Edrian Ramirez fired 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Eugene Toba added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Aguilas.
Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA scored a 78-75 victory over Corsa Tires in its debut, while Sanzar kept San Beda-Machateam winless with a 74-58 triumph.
Carlo Ferreras led Perpetual Help with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Arthur Roque finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and one block.
Raoul Odou led the Fire Tigers with 32 points, 17 rebounds, and one steal.
Bryan Sajonia and Ricci Calimag paced the Red Lions with 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Justine Sanchez and Gerald Anderson each tallied 18 markers for Corsa Tires. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
The Scores:
First 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
Second Game
Perpetual Help 78 – Ferreras 21, Roque 15, Abis 11, Nitura 10, Pagaran 9, Omega 4, Ramirez 3, Barcuma 2, Boral 2, Sevilla 1, Orga 0, Nunez 0
Corsa 75 – Anderson 18, Sanchez 18, Acosta 15, Estacio 8, Ndong 8, Ortega 5, Cunanan 3, Pili 0, Ollano 0, Pagulayan 0, Kapunan 0, Lepalam 0, Carr 0
Quarterscores: 18-27, 38-49, 61-66, 78-75
Third 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
Fourth 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
