MANILA, Philippines—It’s a rare meeting between two former rivals in the NCAA with no less than a spot in the finals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) at stake when Ateneo, the UAAP champion, and NCAA kingpin San Beda collide Friday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Gametime is at 4 p.m. with the Eagles’ hopes of a third straight title hanging in the balance against the Lions, who could forge an all-NCAA finals against San Sebastian with a win today.
Ateneo prevailed in a knockout semifinal duel with San Beda en route to the 2009 title.
The format was changed this year to a round-robin semifinals with the Eagles and Lions ending up in this do-or-die scenario after losing their games to an inspired San Sebastian team.
Ateneo and San Beda hold 1-1 records with their victories coming at the expense of University of Cebu.
The Webmasters finally nailed their first win Thursday, sizzling from beyond the arc to whip the uncaring Stags, 92-71.
The loss hardly mattered for the Stags, who will face the winner of the Ateneo-San Beda clash on Monday, enjoying a twice-to-beat bonus in the title playoffs.
The Webmasters buried a tournament-high 16 three-pointers with Edward Pao shooting 25 points, including 7-of-12 from the three-point line and Mohammad Robinson adding six triples on his way to 20 points.
The Webmasters’ 6-foot-10 center Junemar Fajardo delivered another big game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while burly guard Brian Heruela flirted with a triple-double firing 12 points, dishing out 10 assists and grabbed eight boards.
The Webmasters’ win marked the first time in four years that a Cebu team won in the semifinal phase of the PCCL in Manila.
The scores:
UC 92—Pao 25, Robinson 20, Fajardo 20, Heruela 12, Bercede 12, Auditor 3, Ocariza 0, Batino 0, Ampoon 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 71—Abueva 17, Ferrer 9, Sangalang 9, Vitug 9, Grilli 8, Del Rio 6, Miranda 4, Dela Cruz 4, Balacunag 3, Maiquez 2.
Quarters: 22-17, 47-45, 69-57, 92-71