Ateneo Blue Eagles prevail over CSB Blazers, capture AsiaBasket crown

Kai Ballungay

The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles turned back the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 60-57, to capture the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Pinas Championship on Sunday night at the Villar Coliseum in Las Pinas City. Ian Espinosa stepped up for the Blue Eagles with 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while season MVP Kainoa Ballungay (201-F, college: CS Stanislaus) added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and one block. The reigning UAAP men's basketball champions, the Blue Eagles, thus completed a 7-0 sweep of the week-long tournament. After a tightly contested first half, the Blue Eagles tried to pull away from the Blazers as they opened an 11-point lead at 48-37 with over three minutes remaining in the third frame. The Blazers, however, countered with a huge run to snatch a 51-50 lead with eight minutes left. The Blue Eagles reclaimed the lead at 60-57, but the Blazers missed on their three-point attempts at the buzzer. Reigning NCAA MVP Will Gozum (193-C-1999) led the Blazers with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals. Meanwhile, Sanzar Pharmaceuticals claimed third place with a 95-88 win against Corsa Tires behind a monster outing from Raoul Odou, who finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists.
Courtesy of: fastbreak.com.ph

Tags : KAINOA BALLUNGAY, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, FILIPINO BASKETBALL