MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo hardly needed the key players of its smashing UAAP title run, downing West Negros University, 76-62, to clinch the men’s basketball crown of the 16th Philippine Sports Commission-University Games before a sellout crowd Sunday at the Capiz Gym in Roxas City.
Ateneo's Justin Chua.
Using their deep bench, the Blue Eagles took control right in the first quarter before turning to Justin Chua when the Mustangs surged in several uprisings in the second half.
Chua, a burly 6-foot-7 backup center, fired nine of his 22 points in the fourth period as the Eagles thwarted the Mustangs, who had moved within 46-54 after unloading a 10-2 bomb.
Juami Tiongson shot 15 points and Tonino Gonzaga and Bon Jovi Cipriano added nine and seven, respectively, for the UAAP champions.
Jonathan Evangelista topscored for the Mustangs with 25 points.
“We played as a team both defensively and offensively throughout and followed coach Norman’s (Black) system,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga whose boys redeemed themselves from a fourth-place finish last year.
Adamson University bagged the women’s crown for the third consecutive year with a hard-fought 63-56 win over College of St. Benilde.
With the score tied at 49, time down to five minutes, the veteran trio of Ghine Buendia, Fria Bernardo and Sai Avila buckled down to work and saved the day for coach Emilia Vega.
“Six of my players had a bad stomach a few hours before the game,” said Vega, a former national player. “I never thought we could win.”
In the battle for third place in men’s play, St. Francis of Assisi College escaped with an 80-76 win over University of San Agustin.
Far Eastern University swept University of Sto. Tomas, 25-21, 30-28, 29-27, in the title match of men’s volleyball while De La Salle University struck gold in men’s football following a 4-1 rout of University of Negros Occidental Recoletos.
FEU emerged as the unofficial overall champion after posting victories in athletics, women’s football, taekwondo and women’s chess.
Bacolod’s University of St. La Salle, toughened by its Shakey’s V-League stint, demolished Adamson U, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20, for the women’s volleyball crown, with Central Philippines University copping third place at the expense of University of the Philippines. USLS bested Natiional University to place third in men’s play.
Visayas teams ruled beach volleyball with defending men’s champion Foundation University pulling off a 19-21, 21-12, 15-9 win over FEU and Southwestern U toppling Adamson, 21-13, 21-11 for the women’s title.