Ateneo de Manila University and College of Saint Benilde will face off in the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship title clash on Friday in Las Piñas City.
The reigning UAAP champions, Blue Eagles, secured their sixth straight win as they eliminated Sanzar Pharmaceuticals, 89-79, heading into the knockout final. On the other hand, the Blazers, runners-up in the NCAA last season, continued their strong performance with a 76-70 win over Corsa Tires.
The winner-take-all finale is scheduled for Sunday.
Once again, Ateneo dominated with their bench players contributing 46 points, helping the Blue Eagles gain a lead that reached as high as 20 points in the first half.
Kai Ballungay came off the bench and led the Blue Eagles with 17 points, shooting an efficient 7-of-12 (58%) from the field, along with six rebounds in 20 minutes. Mason Amos added 16 points, while Joe Obasa contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Felipe Marasigan delivered the decisive three-pointer for the Blazers with eight seconds left in the deciding quarter, giving them a two-possession advantage and leading to the final score.
Reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player, Will Gozum, led Benilde with a near-double-double performance of 13 points and nine rebounds. Migs Oczon and Robi Nayve also scored 13 points each, and Paul Turco contributed with 13 rebounds and seven points.
Nayve, despite having just completed his thesis defense, overcame the lack of sleep for the contest.
In Sanzar’s exit from the tournament, Salomon Kone posted a double-double, and Adeshokan Odou led their scoring with 17 points and seven boards.
For Corsa, Yuki Kawamura scored 15 points, while Ian Torres contributed 13 points and six assists. Babacar Ndong completed a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Justine Sanchez posted a near-double-double with 14 points and nine boards.
Gerald Anderson finished with 17 points and eight boards, and Tony Ynot, who trimmed the Blazer lead to three before Marasigan’s clutch basket, added 15 points and eight rebounds. (JOSE GABRIEL IGNACIO)
The Scores:
First Game
Ateneo 89 — Ballungay 17, Amos 16, Obasa 14, Chiu 11, Espinosa 9, Nwabude 6, Quitevis 4, Tuano 4, Celis 3, Koon 3, Credo 2, Ong 0, Nieto 0, Gomez 0
Sanzar 79 — Odou 17, Kawamura 15, Torres 13, Ondoa 13, Kone 11, Famaranco 7, Obuyes 3, Abaoag 0, Bitoy 0, Villapando 0, Jolangcob 0, Mailim 0
Quarterscores: 31-19, 53-36, 70-62, 89-79
Second Game
Benilde 76 — Nayve 13, Oczon 13, Gozum 13, Carlos 12, Turco 7, Sangco 6, Arciaga 3, Marasigan 3, Mara 2, Cajucom 0, Flores 0
Corsa 70 — Anderson 17, Ynot 15, Sanchez 14, Estacio 12, Ndong 10, Pagulayan 2, Acosta 0, Ortega 0, Macatangay 0, Lepalam 0, Cunanan 0
Quarterscores: 19-22, 37-36, 60-53, 76-70
