Ateneo de Manila University secured its spot in the semifinals of the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship after dominating San Beda University with a score of 79-57 in their quarterfinals match on Thursday at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
Once again, Kai Ballungay led the offense for the Blue Eagles with 17 points on 6-of-11 (54%) shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds.
The Blue Eagles held a significant lead of 26 points throughout the game, making it difficult for the Red Lions to catch up and keep the game close.
Shawn Tuano, Raffy Celis, and Mason Amos each contributed 11 points to aid Ateneo in their blowout victory.
Bryan Sajoinia was the sole player to score in double digits for San Beda, tallying 12 points on a challenging 3-of-12 (25%) shooting from the field.
Also advancing to the semifinals are College of Saint Benilde, Corsa Tires, and Sanzar Pharmaceuticals.
In the knockout semis on Friday, the Blue Eagles will face Sanzar, while Benilde will square off against Corsa.
The Blazers dealt the Far Eastern University Tamaraws their first loss in the tournament at the most opportune time, securing a 75-69 triumph.
Meanwhile, Sanzar shocked Uratex in overtime with an 82-79 victory, and Corsa Tires overpowered reigning NCAA champion Colegio de San Juan De Letran with a 94-77 score.
Will Gozum posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, along with two steals.
Benilde’s defense stifled FEU, resulting in 20 points from turnovers. Migs Oczon led the scoring for the Blazers with 18 points and six assists. Mo Fatty also recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for the Tamaraws, while Cholo Anonuevo scored 17 points.
Patrick Sleat chipped in 14 points, and FEU’s key scorer Xyrus Torres added 12 markers.
On the other hand, Sanzar imports Adeshokan Odou and Salomon Kone both registered double-doubles, with Odou scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, and Kone contributing 13 points and 13 boards.
Ian Torres posted 15 points and eight rebounds, Yuki Kawamura scored 17, while Roger Ondoa registered 12 points to help the Fire Tigers secure their spot in the semifinals.
The Benilde duo of Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez led the way for Corsa Tires, with Ynot tallying 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Sanchez contributing 25 points and five assists. Gerald Anderson also fired 14 points.
Ola Adeogun also recorded a double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, along with a steal and a block in Uratex’s loss, while Mike Harry Nzeusseu posted 19 markers and 13 boards.
Kurt Reyson scored 23 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds for the Knights, while Pao Javillonar added 14 markers and seven boards. Kevin Santos chipped in 11 points for the Knights. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
The Scores:
First Game
Sanzar 82 – Kawamura 17, Odou 17, Torres 15, Kone 13, Ondoa 12, Famaranco 4, Mailim 4, Calapine 0
Uratex 79 – Adeogun 25, Nzeusseu 19, Bragais 16, Gamalinda 10, Gil 6, Salamat 3, Pardo 0, Vidal 0, Arboleda 0
Quarterscores: 21-18, 45-39, 60-62, 75-75, 82-79
Second Game
Ateneo 79 – Ballungay 17, Tuano 11, Amos, 11, Celis 11, Obasa 6, Gamber 5, Koon 4, Chiu 4, Quitevis 3, Nwabude 2, Nieto 2, Espinosa 2, Garcia 1, Credo 0, Gomez 0
San Beda 57 – Sajonia 12, Lina 9, Alloso 9, Lecciones 9, RC Calimag 8, Lopez 2, Songcuya 2, Tolentino 2, Peregrina 0, Etulle 0, Teruel 0, Mina 0, Hawkins 0
Quarterscores: 24-23, 43-32, 63-41, 79-57
Third Game
CSB 75 – Oczon 18, Gozum 13, Sangco 12, Mara 10, Corteza 8, Nayve 6, Marasigan 4, Turco 2, Carlos 2, Jarque 0, Flores 0, Davis 0, Arciaga 0
FEU 69 – Anonuevo 17, Sleat 14, Torres 12, Faty 10, Tempra 7, Competente 7, Alforque 2, Bagunu 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0, Buenaventura 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 34-34, 61-53, 75-69
Fourth Game
Corsa 94 – Sanchez 25, Ynot 15, Anderson 14, Estacio 9, Ndong 8, Acosta 8, Pagulayan 4, Lepalam 4, Cunanan 3, Ortega 2, Edralin 2, Macatangay 0, Ollano 0, Carr 0
Letran 77 – Reyson 23, Javillonar 14, Santos 11, Tolentino 8, Fajardo 8, Guarino 6, Galvez 2, Jumao-As 2, Aureo 2, Garupil 1, Nunag 0, Bautista 0, Go 0, Morales 0
Quarterscores: 32-19, 60-41, 76-58, 94-77
