LeBron Nieto powered Ateneo de Manila University to a dominant 89-64 victory over Guang Ming College to maintain its spotless start in Group Prime of the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Wednesday at the Enderun Gymnasium.
The younger brother of Mike and Matt Nieto tallied 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Joseph Obasa contributed 13 points, four rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. Meanwhile, Ian Espinosa and Kai Ballungay were their usual selves, supplying 11 and 10 points for the Blue Eagles, respectively.
Ateneo secured a 3-0 record, tying with Mapua University for the third spot.
On the other hand, Joshua Jamias spearheaded the Flying Dragons’ charge with 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Jerover Cabilla chimed in with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
GMC, now at 2-4, suffered their second consecutive loss.
Meanwhile, in Group Edge action, Carlo Ferreras propelled University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 90-76 win over hand still winless Enderun Colleges its fourth consecutive loss.
Ferreras had a stellar performance with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor and three rebounds to lead the Altas. Christian Pagaran provided support with 23 points, three rebounds, and an assist.
Jerico Nunez nearly achieved a double-double for Perpetual with 10 points, nine rebounds, and a block. JP Boral and Joshua Ramirez also made solid contributions, scoring nine points each.
The Altas now have their second straight win with a 1-2 record.
Jalen Garcia paved the way for the Titans with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Roby Castro had 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Sean Manese tallied 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
AJ Fransman and Albert Libago also supplied nine points each for Enderun, with Fransman adding seven rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game
UPHSD 90 – Ferreras 24, Pagaran 23, Nunez 10, Boral 9, Ramirez 9, Movida 5, Caugiran 5, Orgo 4, Cuevas 1, Gelsano 0, Udugan 0, Thompson 0, Buraga 0, Montemayor 0
Enderun 76 – Garcia 19, Castro 14, Manese 10, Fransman 9, Libago 9, Mahilum 5, Jimenez 4, Sacundo 4, Guissani 2, Devara 0
Quarterscores: 31-13, 47-40, 79-52, 90-76.
Second Game
Ateneo 89 – Nieto 14, Obasa 13, Espinosa 11, Ballungay 10, Demisana 7, Amos 6, Chiu 6, Lazaro 5, Nwabude 4, Credo 4, Tuaño 4, Garcia 3, Padrigao 2, De Liaño 0, Opeña 0
GMC 64 – Jamias 21, Cabilla 12, Akinyede 8, Pecolera 6, Lozada 5, Pujeda 5, Ududo 5, Lactaotao 2, Soriano 0, Lim 0, Buenaobra 0
Quarterscores: 19-17, 48-29, 66-46, 89-64.
