The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles kept their unblemished record intact by besting the University of the Visayas 91-81 in the closing contest of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight Day Three Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
UAAP’s reigning champion, who were seeing other shades of green and white, went on a 31-17 scoring surge in the third quarter for a double digit lead.
Not wanting to go down without a fight, the Green Lancers showed why they are considered one of the top teams in the Visayas and trimmed the deficit to only six courtesy of a Bassieru Sackor layup more than halfway through the fourth period.
However, the Blue Eagles responded by engaging on an 8-2 mini run of their own which was just enough to be able to hold on for the rest of the way as Ateneo marched on to victory.
Gian Robert Mamuyac top scored for the Blue Eagles with 15 points in just 15 minutes of play. He shot an impressive 6-for-9 from the field.
Leading the way for the Green Lancers was Rey Anthony Suerte who had 29 big points while hauling in 14 rebounds.
Ateneo improves to 2-0 in Group A play, tied with Lyceum of the Philippines. The two squads will go at it tomorrow at 5:00PM.
BOXSCORES (FIBA LiveStats):
ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY (91): Mamuyac 15, Go 13, Ravena 11, Navarro 9, Verano 8, Black 7, Tio 6, Nieto J 5, White 5, Maagdemberg 4, Wong 3, Nieto M 2, Asistio 0, Mendoza 0, Milillin 0
UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS (81): Suerte 29, Sackor 13, Delator 12, Balabag 6, Segumpan 5, Soliva 5, Butohan 5, Napao 4, Gahi 2, Maestre 0
QUARTERSCORES: 24-21, 39-41, 70-58, 91-81