Just like the old times.
Two dominant institutions in college basketball, San Beda University and Ateneo de Manila University, rekindled an old rivalry with the boys from Mendiola coming out victorious, 57-52, in the second Final Four matchup of the day in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Monday night.
As expected, the kings of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the blue chippers from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines was in a dogfight all throughout the ballgame, shades of their battles in the old NCAA.
It was only fitting that the low-scoring contest came down with over a minute to play and the two protagonists deadlocked at 52. In the ensuing jump ball, San Beda’s Pierre Tankoua stole the ball from Matt Nieto for the go-ahead fastbreak layup on the other end of the court as he was fouled by Ateneo big man Isaac Go. Tankoua, however, would miss the bonus free throw to leave the window open for the Blue Eagles.
In the closing moments though, the Hail Mary squad was not able to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them, and San Beda converted just enough from the charity stripe to hang on for the win.
As alluded to earlier, both teams had to grind out every point that they scored. Ateneo was limited to just 18-for-63(28%) shooting by the Red Lions defense.
San Beda sets up a showdown with Lyceum of the Philippines in an all NCAA affair to determine the country’s one, true, National Champion in the final game that will take place on Thursday, February 15 at 5:30PM, still at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
BOX SCORE (FIBA LiveStats):
San Beda (57): Mocon 21, Tankoua 15, Soberano 6, Cabanag 4, Penuela 4, Abuda 3, Doliguez 2, Ejercito 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Oftana 0, Bahio 0, Ndzana 0.
Ateneo de Manila (52): Ravena 11, Verano 8, Ma. Nieto 7, Maagdemberg 7, Asistio 3, Tio 3, White 3, Go 2, Mamuyac 2, Mi. Nieto 2, Mendoza 2, Milillin 2, Andrade 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 12-9, 27-20, 37-37, 57-52