Ateneo thwarts Lyceum rally; Off-form Eagles gain ‘Elite Eight’
MANILA—Defending champion Ateneo weathered a late charge by Lyceum to tally a 76-66 victory yesterday and claim a spot in the “Elite Eight” in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Far from the sharp form they showed when they ruled the UAAP two months ago, the Eagles rode Justin Chua’s heroics down the stretch to set up a quarterfinal duel with Mapua.
Earlier, Adamson subdued NCAA losing finalist San Sebastian, 65-54, in the first game to forge a duel with Far Eastern for a place in the semifinals.
Janus Lozada made the most out of a rare start, firing 21 points, including five triples, and grabbing six rebounds for the Falcons.
Chua bailed out the Eagles with a layup and two free throws inside the final 1:13 after the Pirates, who stunned Arellano U in the zonals to reach the Sweet 16, sliced a 21-point second-quarter deficit.
“Anytime we get a win I’ll be happy at this point,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
Only eight players suited up for San Sebastian as the Stags missed key players like Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual, who are focusing on their studies, and Jonathan Semira, who is still on vacation.
The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 65—Lozada 21, Alvarez 15, Camson 6, Canada 5, Colina 4, Stinnet 4, Nuyles 4, Etrone 3, Brondial 2, Cabrera 1, Galinato 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 54—Bulawan 17, Sangalang 11, Dela Cruz 8, R. Gatchalian 6, Marquez 6, Del Rio 4, E. Gatchalian 2, Raymundo 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 34-29, 49-44, 65-54
Second Game
ATENEO 76—Chua 17, Long 14, Salva 11, Austria 8, Golla 6, Salamat 6, Gonzaga 4, Dela Cruz 4, Tiongson 3, Erram 2, Monfort 1.
LYCEUM 66—Ong 20, Abaya 16, Rimando 8, Cayabyab 6, Santos 4, Ko 3, Guevarra 3, Lacap 2, Difuntorum 2, Azores 2.
Quarters: 29-10, 45-35, 64-47, 76-66
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