Ateneo and Chiang Kai Shek College lived up to their projected title showdown by downing their respective semis rivals Saturday in the 1st Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup 2014 at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City.
Despite their star-studded lineup, the Eaglets needed a whirlwind comeback to eke out an 83-80 win over the Adamson Baby Falcons, while the CKSC Dragons repulsed the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws to escape with a 79-75 win.
The one-game faceoff is slated at the same venue on Sunday with Jumbo Plastic Lino-leum top executive Jefferson dela Cruz invited to hand the championship trophy to winner.
Coming into the game undefeated after completing a seven-game sweep of the eliminations, the Eaglets teetered on the brink of defeat after falling behind by five points, 75-80, with less than a minute left in the game.
But Gian Mamuyac came through with a drive and a trey to tie the game at 80-all before Enzo Joson completed a three-point play off an inbound steal to push Ateneo into the final.
PH Under-17 center Matt Nieto led Ateneo with 29 points and eight rebounds while Jolo Mendoza, another PH U-17 standout, and Mamuyac chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Eaglets in the event also sponsored by Smart Telecommunications, K-tech Sports, Inc., Powerbest Marketing, CW Home Depot, Powerhouse and Dickies Underwear.
The Baby Falcons led by double digits in the first half only to falter down the stretch.
The Dragons got off to roaring start and led by as much as 26 points in the second quarter.
JV Gallego led the Dragons with 23 points while Shannon Gagate and Jonas Tibayan contributed 17 and 16, respectively.