Scrambling start by Eagles

Ateneo’s chief gunner Kiefer Ravena produces an electrifying dunk in yesterday’s game against USJ-R. Contributed photo / S KIERON TAN

Ateneo opened defense of its men’s basketball title with a scrambling 56-54 triumph over University of San Jose-Recoletos yesterday in the 17th Sandugo University Games at University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod.

The Blue Eagles, who clinched a fifth straight UAAP title early this month, needed a clutch performance from Gwynne Capacio to hold off the Jaguars in a pulsating finish just before the opening ceremonies of the weeklong collegiate meet.

Proving why he’s an exciting prospect for the Eagles for years to come, the 6-foot-3 Capacio knocked in a jumper with 54.8 seconds remaining to shatter a 54-all deadlock, before the Eagles put the clamps on the upset-conscious Cebu squad in the dwindling seconds to preserve the victory, their first since the departure of coach Norman Black.

Capacio shot 12 points, including a split from the line with 1:25 left that gave the Eagles a three-point cushion. Hounded by foul trouble, Kiefer Ravena still ended up with 11 points for the Eagles, who face Holy Cross in their next Group A assignment tomorrow.

University of the East also made its presence felt, scoring a 112-38 massacre of University of Northern Philippines in Group D.

University of San Agustin came away with a 92-73 trouncing of Polytechnic University of the Philippines in the other Group D tussle.

Defending women’s basketball champion Adamson overpowered Ateneo de Davao, 106-17, even as Rizal Technological University pummeled St. Louis University of Baguio, 71-46. Lyceum edged University of Santo Tomas, 72-69, in another women’s game.

In women’s volleyball, host USLS made light work of St. Benilde, 25-15, 25-19, 25-15, matching the opening-day victory of powerhouse Far Eastern U, which toppled Foundation U, 25-9, 25-9, 25-13. University of San Carlos overcame Lyceum, 25-13, 25-13, 26-24, even as Adamson dumped Colegio Purisima Concepcion, 25-6, 25-7, 25-8.

Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod produced the first upset in men’s volleyball, stunning FEU, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, even as Adamson walloped USJ-R, 25-14, 25-15, 25-14, and RTU coasted to a 25-17, 25-10, 25-15 win over UNP.

Men’s football action at Panaad Stadium saw defending champion La Salle coming away with a narrow 1-0 victory over former winner San Beda.

Reigning UAAP titlist University of the Philippines also got its campaign off to a positive note with a 1-0 nipping of Central Philippine University, even as USLS drew a hat-trick from Joel Bedia to repulse St. Benilde, 7-0.