MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo took down their respective opponents with relative ease in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Saturday at Filoil Flying V Center.
The Growling Tigers, the runners-up in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament, ripped sister team Letran 95-65, to open their bid in the UAAP-NCAA challenge of the tournament.
After taking a 26-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, UST unleashed an offensive maelstrom and outscored the Knights 29-11 to take a 55-28 buffer heading into the break.
CJ Cansino led the Tigers with 13 points four rebounds, and three steals while Season 81 MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo had 12 points and 10 boards.
Paolo Javillonar led the Knights, the NCAA defending champions, with 12 points.
In the other match, the UAAP champions Blue Eagles swooped down on NCAA silver medalist San Beda, 83-69.
SJ Belangle lit up for 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting while Dwight Ramos had 12 points and four boards.
James Kwekuteye, Calvin Oftana, and Ralph Penuela had 11 points apiece for the Red Lions.