Godslove Nwabude and Josh Lazaro teamed up to lead Ateneo de Manila University to its fourth consecutive win after a dominant 88-57 victory against an eight-man Lyceum of the Philippines University team in Group Prime of the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Tuesday at the Enderun Gymnasium.
Nwabude recorded a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for the 4-0 Blue Eagles, while Lazaro flirted with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Jason Credo contributed 12 points, two assists, and a rebound for Ateneo, while Shawn Tuaño and Jynno Ladimo provided support with nine points each.
Despite being out of quarterfinal contention in the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Blue Eagles are performing well in the Pinoyliga, currently tied for the top spot with Mapua University.
Meanwhile, John Del Balazuela led the Pirates with a double-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal, while Joshua Moralejo supported him with 10 points and five rebounds.
Lyceum snapped its two-game winning streak, dropping to an even 4-4 and missing Enoch Valdez, Shawn Umali, Gyle Montaño, John Barba, Vincent Cunanan, and Matthew Bravo in the game.
In the second Group Prime game, De La Salle University defeated Philippine Christian University 98-50, securing its second straight win and rising to the fourth spot with a 3-4 record.
Henry Agunnane and Vhoris Marasigan each scored 13 points, with Agunnane adding three rebounds and three blocks for the Green Archers. Justin San Agustin contributed 11 points, two rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Mike Phillips and EJ Gollena both scored nine points for the winning side.
On the other hand, Lyon Pallingayan was the lone double-digit scorer for the Dolphins with 13 points, two rebounds, two steals, and four assists, while Jaddie Antonio came close to a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
PCU suffered its seventh consecutive loss in as many games, dropping to 0-7.
In the lone Group Edge game, AJ Fransman led Enderun College to its second straight win, narrowly defeating Adamson University 64-62.
Fransman recorded a double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists for the 2-5 Titans. Jalen Garcia contributed 12 points and three assists for Enderun, while Francis Guissani added 11 points and seven rebounds.
On the other hand, Matty Erolon and Ray Allen Torres led the way for the Soaring Falcons, each scoring 12 points, with Erolon also contributing three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Kenji Cañete chipped in nine points and six rebounds for Adamson.
The Soaring Falcons suffered their fourth straight loss, with a 1-5 win-loss record.
The Scores:
First Game
Enderun 64 – Fransman 15, Garcia 12, Guissani 11, Basilio 7, Libago 6, Jimenez 4, Manese 4, Devara 3, Castro 2, Sacundo 0.
Adamson 62 – Erolon 12, Torres 12, Cañete 9, Fermin 8, W. Magbuhos 7, Manzon 4, Sicat 3, Barasi 2, Ignacio 2, Dignadice 0, Jaymalin 0, Mepaña 0.
Quarterscores: 9-17, 35-36, 46-49, 64-62..
Second Game
La Salle 98 – Agunanne 13, Marasigan 13, San Agustin 11, B. Phillips 9, Gollena 9, Melencio 8, Macalalag 8, Buensalida 7, Reyes 6, Abadam 4, Nwankwo 4, Alien 2, Rubico 2, Estacio 2, Manuel 0.
PCU 50 – Pallingayan 13, Antonio 9, Dangiwan 8, Daluz 7, Faye 6, Balvarin 3, Ramos 2, Abella 2, Veloso 0, Diño 0, Luza 0.
Quarterscores: 27-8, 48-17, 80-26, 98-50.
Third Game
Ateneo 88 – Nwabude 13, Lazaro 13, Credo 12, Tuaño 9, Ladimo 9, Gomez 7, Opeña 7, De Liaño 7, Nieto 6, Celis 4, Tanjangco 1, Tan 0.
Lyceum 57 – Del Balazuela 15, Moralejo 10, Daileg 8, Garing 7, Cielo 6, Panganiban 6, Dejelo 2.
Quarterscores: 24-8, 43-25, 63-40, 88-57.
