Ateneo-B nabs Fr. Martin Division 2 crown

Ateneo Blue Eagles take home Fr. Martin Crown. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo team B grounded San Beda-B, 68-51, to bring home its first Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup seniors’ division crown on Saturday at Trinity University Gym in Quezon City.

Prized recruits Jerie Pingoy and Alfonso Gotladera, along with Joma Adornado, provided the spark for Blue Eagles’ second team, who showed a sneak peek of the team’s future after the team A failed to make the final four in the UAAP.

Pingoy, the controversial guard serving out two years of residency after leaving Far Eastern University in high school, led with 14 points.

Adornado, son of former PBA player Bogs Adornado, had 12 points while Gotladera, a bigman transferee from La Salle, added 11.

“The players wanted it. They showed intensity in this game,” said head coach Yuri Escueta, a former Blue Eagle.

Ateneo defeated National University, 78-75, to enter the finals.

Cameroonian cager Donald Tankoua fired 19 points for the Red Lions, while Alfred Sedilla had nine.