Ateneo, San Beda, HTC earn PCCL Elite 8 opening wins

UAAP champion Ateneo easily handled Naga Foundation College, 84-69, to open its campaign in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite 8 Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena.

The Blue Eagles are the first of the Group A teams to earn a victory in the round-robin-styled competition that will see the top two groups from each bundle advancing the knockout semifinals.

Thirdy Ravena missed out on a triple-double with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists while committing just one turnover to lead Ateneo.

HTC never experienced to take the lead as Ateneo held fort as early as the first quarter with a 27-16 lead with a minute remaining in the period.

The Blue Eagles had its biggest lead in the game, 80-61, when Gian Mamuyac hit a three-pointer with 5:43 left in the game that ended a 21-4 run throughout the final two quarters.

Emmanuel Ojoula led the Tigers with 34 points and 14 rebounds.

In the first game, Holy Trinity College pulled off a 75-69 upset win over UAAP runner-up De La Salle in Group B.

The Green Archers, although, tapped their Team B for the tournament.

Joseph Diamante and Leomark Salas had 21 and 20 points, respectively to lead the Wildcats while Everby Dialogo added a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Antonio Miguel Yang led the Green Archers with 21 points and eight rebounds.

And in the second game, NCAA defending champion San Beda closed out league rival San Sebastian, 70-67, in Group B.

Robert Bolick played floor general for the Red Lions with 14 points and seven assists while AC Soberano also had 14 points.

JV Mocon had a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double for San Beda.

Alvin Capobres led the Stags with 14 points and five boards.