Kai Ballungay delivered in the clutch as Ateneo de Manila University survived Gerald Anderson and Corsa Tires, 77-76, to secure its third straight victory in the 2023 Bola TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship on Sunday at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
With the Blue Eagles trailing by one, 75-76, Ballungay grabbed a monster offensive rebound after a missed three-point shot from Gab Gomez and nailed the and-1 putback layup, putting Ateneo ahead by one with 21 seconds left to play.
Ahron Estacio had the opportunity to win it for Corsa but missed the supposed game-winning fadeaway with six seconds left on the clock, taking advantage of Ballungay’s missed bonus free throw.
Ballungay, who has now won his third consecutive Bola TV Best Player of the Game Award, posted 17 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block, leading Ateneo on both ends of the court.
Chris Koon added 11 points for the Blue Eagles, while Gab Gomez contributed 10.
Meanwhile, Justine Sanchez, who is set to play for the College of St. Benilde Blazers for NCAA Season 100, tallied 25 points on an efficient 11-out-of-14 shooting from the field (78%) to lead Corsa’s offense.
Tony Ynot scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Babacar Ndong chipped in 10 points and 15 boards for Corsa, completing a pair of double-double performances for the team.
On Monday, Ateneo will try to extend its winning streak against Perpetual in the last match of today’s quadruple header at the same Las Piñas venue.
Meanwhile, Patrick Sleat led the way with 13 points as Far Eastern University demolished San Beda, 80-51, to remain undefeated with a 3-0 record and maintain a tighter hold on the top spot in Group B.
The Tamaraws led by as much as 32, keeping the Red Lions at a considerable distance from making a comeback. Renzo Competente and FEU’s go-to scorer Xyrus Torres both registered 13 points for their squad.
San Beda’s scorers struggled against the FEU defense, with Richi Calimag tallying only 11 points on four-out-of-12 shooting (33%), while Bryan Sajonia shot four-out-of-14 (28%) for 10 points.
In other matches, Letran and Uratex secured victories against the Pilipinas Aguilas (111-76) and Perpetual (88-81), respectively.
Kobe Monje dropped 29 points, while Kyle Tolentino fired 23 points to power the Knights to their impressive victory.
Edrian Ramirez, although shooting 4-of-15 from the field (26%), still led the scorers for the Aguilas with 16 points, while Biboy Enguio added 14.
Ola Adeogun posted a huge double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds as Uratex claimed their first victory in the tournament.
Mike Nzeusseu also tallied a double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
The Scores:
First Game
Letran 111 – Monje 29, Tolentino 23, Guarino 11, Santos 11, Galvez 9, Jumao-As 8, Bautista 6, Javillonar 5, Nunag 4, Reyson 3, Go 2, Fajardo 0, Brillantes 0, Bojorcelo 0, Morales 0
Pilipinas Aguilas 76 – Ramirez 16, Enguio 14, Bessala 8, Labarda 8, Toba 6, Bederi 5, A. Elorde 5, G. Elorde 4, Daez 3, Partosa 3, Caldozo 2, Publico 2, Mahilum 0, Dimaunahan 0, Fernandez 0
Quarterscores: 27-16, 60-39, 88-53, 111-76
Second Game:
Uratex 88 – Adeogun 27, Nzeusseu 17, Gamalinda 11, Salamat 8, Gil 8, Gotladera 7, Pardo 4, Bragais 3, Rosagas 3, Balmaceda 0
Perpetual Help 81 – Roque 16, Boral 14, Abis 12, Nitura 12, Pagaran 7, Ferreras 6, Razon 4, Barcuma 4, Gelsano 4, Sevilla 2, Nunez 0, Orgo 0, Ramirez 0, Movida 0
Quarterscores: 19-19, 43-40, 67-63, 88-81
Third Game
FEU 80 – Sleat 15, Competente 13, Torres 13, Tempra 10, Anonuevo 9, Alforque 8, Fatty 5, Buenaventura 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 1, Felipe 1, Devares 0
San Beda 51 – Ri. Calimag 11, Sajonia 10, Lina 5, Alloso 5, RC Calimag 5, Etulle 3, Lopez 2, Dimaculangan 2, Mundas 2, Mina 2, Tolentino 2, Teruel 0, Lecciones 0, Peregrina 0
Quarterscores: 8-15, 32-24, 57-38, 80-51
Fourth Game
Ateneo 77 – Ballungay 17, Koon 11, Gomez 10, Chiu 9, Amos 7, Credo 6, Obasa 5, Tuano 4, Espinosa 4, Gamber 3, Nieto 1, Quitevis 0, Celis 0
Corsa 76 – Sanchez 25, Ynot 18, Estacio 15, Ndong 10, Anderson 3, Acosta 3, Macatangay 2, Cunanan 0, Pagulayan 0, Lepalam 0
Quarterscores: 15-13, 35-36, 60-55, 77-76
