University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University took contrasting wins to sweep their respective pools in the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Sunday at the Enderun Gymnasium.
The Fighting Maroons zapped Far Eastern University in a heated affair, 79-70, to sweep Group Prime while the Blue Eagles romped shorthanded archrival De La Salle University, 79-58, to sweep Group Edge.
It was a heated affair between UP and FEU that saw Harold Alarcon ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul and two ‘flopping’ incidents. Tamaraw big man Mohamed Konateh was then disqualified for contact with a referee. Later, JR Pasaol found himself ousted due to a disqualifying foul, before Aldous Torculas was assessed five fouls.
Still, the Fighting Maroons’ depth proved too much for the Tamaraws.
Malick Diouf showed the way for UP, tallying 14 points and four rebounds, while Francis Lopez backstopped him with 15 points and two rebounds. JD Cagulangan provided 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, and a steal for the winning side.
Meanwhile, Geo Chiu spearheaded Ateneo, scoring 12 points, three rebounds, and three blocks.
Sean Quitevis, Mason Amos, and Jared Brown each scored nine points, with Quitevis adding three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Xyrus Torres paced the 3-4 FEU with 18 points, including three rebounds and an assist. Aaron Bagnunu fired 14 points, grabbing five rebounds, a steal, and a block.
James Tempra and Patrick Sleat also contributed 11 points each for the losing cause.
Debuting Jake Gaspay had one point, a rebound, an assist, and two steals for La Salle. Meanwhile, Henry Agunanne led the way for the Green Archers with 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist.
Joaqui Manuel and Aaron Buensalida contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively, with Buensalida adding four rebounds.
In the second Group Edge game, Bryan Sajonia lifted San Beda University to stay alive in the elimination round after conquering the College of St. Benilde, 82-77.
Sajonia, who made crucial baskets in the fourth quarter, recorded 14 points, nine rebounds, two steals, an assist, and a block. Bismarck Lina backed him up with a double-double performance of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and a steal.
San Beda improved their record to 4-4, tying with CSB, who dropped to an even 4-4.
Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez led the charge for the Blazers in facing their former team as they scored 15 points each. Ynot also added nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Sanchez grabbed four rebounds.
Joshua Cajucom and Allen Liwag scored 10 and nine points, respectively, for CSB, with the latter adding 10 rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game
San Beda 82 – Lina 19, Sajonia 14, Royo 9, Ri. Calimag 9, Tagle 9, Jalbuena 8, RC. Calimag 6, Alloso 6, Peregrina 2, Etulle 0, Dimaculangan 0, Tagala 0, Teruel 0.
Benilde 77 – Ynot 15, Sanchez 15, Cajucom 10, Liwag 9, Mara 6, Sumabat 6, 5 Vanguardia, Eusebio 4, Arciaga 4, Serrano 3, Baliquig 0, Dimayuga 0.
Quarterscores: 23-20, 41-45, 59-66, 82-77.
Second Game
UP 79 – Lopez 15, Diouf 14, Cagulangan 10, Briones 9, Alter 6, Alarcon 6, Abadiano 4, Felicilda 4, Belmonte 2, Torres 2, Pablo 2, Gagate 1, Torculas 0.
FEU 70 – Torres 18, Bagnunu 14, Sleat 11, Tempra 11, Alforque 5, Faty 3, Pasaol 3, Konateh 3, Ona 2, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0, Songcuya 0, Guibao 0.
Quarterscores: 18-26, 50-37, 73-53, 79-70.
Third Game
Ateneo 79 – Chiu 12, Amos 9, Quitevies 9, Brown 9, Nieto 8, Obasa 6, Koon 5, Espinosa 4, Celis 4, Bongo 3, Gomez 3, Credo 2, Lazaro 0, Opeña 0, Tuaño 0.
La Salle 58 – Manuel 13, Agunanne 10, Buensalida 10, Melencio 9, Alao 7, Marasigan 6, Alian 2, Gaspay 1, Cortez 0, San Agustin 0, Reyes 0, Santos, 0, Zamora 0.
Quarterscores: 18-9, 32-24, 53-36, 79-58.
