Tigers take Game 1 in PCCL Finals vs Ateneo
Photo by John Paul R. Autor, The Varsitarian
Jose Antonio R. Nisay, The Varsitarian
BANKING on a valiant late-game rally, the UST Growling Tigers surged past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-76, to draw first blood in the best-of-three Finals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) at The Arena in San Juan Tuesday afternoon.
The Tigers, who played without coach Pido Jarencio (german measles) and Kim Lo (fever), erased a 70-73 Ateneo lead with a huge 12-3 run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
"Depensa ang nagpanalo sa'min dito. Kapag maganda ang depensa, sumusunod na ang opensa," assistant coach Estong Ballesteros said. "Salamat kay coach Pido sa tiwala sa coaching staff at buti nasuklian namin."
Sophomore guard Kevin Ferrer came out big for the Tigers with 18 points, while Karim Abdul and Jeric Teng chipped in 12 apiece.
Ryan Buenafe led the Blue Eagles with 15 points, including a booming trey with 15 seconds left in the game.
Game 2 is set on Thursday (Nov. 29), 4 p.m. at the same venue.
The Scores:
UST 82 - Ferrer 18, Abdul 12, Teng 12, Mariano 11, Afuang 10, Fortuna 9, Daquioag 4, Vigil 2, Pe 2, Bautista 2
Ateneo 76 - Buenafe 15, Tiongson 13, Slaughter 12, Gonzaga 12, Ravena 11, Salva 8, Elorde 3, Golla 2, Pessumal 0, Chua 0, Porter 0, Capacio 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 39-42, 60-58, 82-76.
BANKING on a valiant late-game rally, the UST Growling Tigers surged past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-76, to draw first blood in the best-of-three Finals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) at The Arena in San Juan Tuesday afternoon.
The Tigers, who played without coach Pido Jarencio (german measles) and Kim Lo (fever), erased a 70-73 Ateneo lead with a huge 12-3 run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
"Depensa ang nagpanalo sa'min dito. Kapag maganda ang depensa, sumusunod na ang opensa," assistant coach Estong Ballesteros said. "Salamat kay coach Pido sa tiwala sa coaching staff at buti nasuklian namin."
Sophomore guard Kevin Ferrer came out big for the Tigers with 18 points, while Karim Abdul and Jeric Teng chipped in 12 apiece.
Ryan Buenafe led the Blue Eagles with 15 points, including a booming trey with 15 seconds left in the game.
Game 2 is set on Thursday (Nov. 29), 4 p.m. at the same venue.
The Scores:
UST 82 - Ferrer 18, Abdul 12, Teng 12, Mariano 11, Afuang 10, Fortuna 9, Daquioag 4, Vigil 2, Pe 2, Bautista 2
Ateneo 76 - Buenafe 15, Tiongson 13, Slaughter 12, Gonzaga 12, Ravena 11, Salva 8, Elorde 3, Golla 2, Pessumal 0, Chua 0, Porter 0, Capacio 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 39-42, 60-58, 82-76.