Ateneo tops UST, San Beda routs Letran in PCCL

FILE – Ateneo’s SJ Belangel during the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball Finals against University of Santo Tomas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo remained spotless after handing out an 82-71 beating to University of Santo Tomas in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Challenge Sunday at Filoil Flying V Center.

In the rematch between the UAAP Season 82 finalists, it was the Blue Eagles who once again came out on top as they remained perfect with a 2-0 record in the offseason tournament.

SJ Belangel fired 26 points, on 6-of-9 shooting from deep, with two steals to lead Ateneo while Angelo Kouame commanded the paint with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks.

The Growling Tigers rallied from 10 points down, 48-38, at the start of the third to get within a single point, 66-65, after outscoring the Blue Eagles, 27-18, in the penultimate period.

Kouame, however, put a stop to UST’s persistence, scoring eight of his total points in the period as Ateneo outscored the Growling Tigers, 16-6, in the final quarter.

Rhenz Abando and Vince Cuajao both had 14 points to lead the Growling Tigers, who dropped to 1-1.

Meanwhile, San Beda avenged its NCAA Season 95 Finals loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a dominant 76-53 victory.

Calvin Oftana filled the stat sheets with 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals, and three blocks to lead the Red Lions while Ralph Penuela and Pedro Alfaro had 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Jeo Ambohot had 13 points and seven rebounds to lead the Knights who are now tied with San Beda with 1-1 records.