Ateneo survives San Beda, advances to PCCL Finals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo hit timely baskets to fend off San Beda, 62-56, in the deciding Game 3 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League semifinals Saturday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Thirdy Ravena drained the dagger triple for a 61-56 Blue Eagles cushion with 22.9 seconds left.

Ateneo set up a knockout duel against University of Visayas for the PCCL title on January 28 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Blue Eagles held a 51-37 lead at the end of the third quarter but failed to register a single field goal in nearly eight minutes.

San Beda exploited this drought going on an 18-4 run to tie the game at 55 after Donald Tankoua’s layup with 2:38 to play.

Angelo Kouame was able to score Ateneo’s first field goal of the fourth quarter converting on a three-point play 24 seconds later.

“That’s basketball, you won’t really know what will happen because every situation is very different,” said Ravena in Filipino. “We had a shaky start in the fourth and San Beda caught up. It was breaks of the game and we’re just lucky we were able to pull it off.”

Ravena led Ateneo’s charge with 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Angelo Kouame had 13 points, 18 rebounds, and eight blocks.

“I’m happy that our players figured things out themselves. As you saw, we didn’t take timeouts. They need to learn from these situations,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.

James Canlas led the Red Lions with 14 points and six boards while Donald Tankoua had 10 points and 12 rebounds.