Ateneo Team B whips Trinity 74-49

Ateneo Team B whips Trinity 74-49

by rick olivares

Saturday July 20, 2013

San Beda Gym

With nearly five minutes gone by in the second period, Ateneo Team B had not scored. In the meantime, the Trinity University of Asia White Stallions had sliced what was once a nine-point lead down to two, 15-13.

Blue Eagles coach Yuri Escueta responded to the fire by inserting Mark Gamboa at guard to work in tandem with Koko Pingoy while Joma Adornado reentered the fray. Adornado, the son of the PBA All-time great, broke free of his man and banked in a jumper, 17-13.

In the meantime, TUA coach Junel Mendiola pulled out Mark Doligon who had scored five points to his name thus far, to give him a breather. Without Doligon, the former Arellano University Chief, who relentlessly attacked Ateneo’s man-zone, the White Stallions struggled to get their offense going.

Gamboa’s entry lit a fire under the directionless Blue Eagles. The son of former Blue Eagle Jojo Gamboa along with Pingoy harried TUA’s guards into turnovers. In one instance, TUA’s Rivera drove hard on the fastbreak where Pingoy waited for him. Pingoy, showing great hops, leaped high up and blocked the shot.

On the offensive end, Gamboa issued three assists and by the time the smoke settled, Ateneo’s 24-4 bomb in the final four minutes of the second period gave them effective control of the match.

After TUA’s Elarmo seemingly scored the last basket of the first half with just a few seconds left, Ateneo guard Gabe Branzuela heaved a 60-foot shot that hit the window and banked in for a 41-17 lead.

The Blue Eagles hiked the lead to a high of 28 in the third and fourth periods and repulsed every rally by the White Stallions.

The second half highlights included back-to-back give and go plays between Ace Basas and Jay Sacluti as well as an alley-oop slam dunk off an inbound pass by Koko Pingoy to  Nigerian Chibueze Ikeh that had the crowd at the San Beda Gym cheering.

The final score was 74-49 with Ateneo raising their record to 2-0.

Ateneo 74 – Adornado 12, Basas 11, Pingoy 7, Armenion 7, Ikeh 7, Gamboa 6, Go 6, Gotladera 4, Ramos 4, Cabahug 3, Branzuela 3, Sacluti 2, Cu 2, Ewenike 0, Mercado 0, Labao 0, Roa 0, Magno 0.

Trinity 49 – Ibarra 13, Elarmo 13, Rivera 6, Doligon 5, You 5, Pinas 4, Alcober 2, Maglipay 1, Wong 0, Castillo 0, Barroga 0.

Pingoy 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers

Adornado 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals

Basas 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 turnovers

Gotladera 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 turnover

Chibueze 7 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks

Ewenike 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers

Gamboa 6 points, 6 assists

Top points – Joma Adornado – 12 points

Top rebounds – Chibueze Ikeh 12 rebounds (9 defensive, 3 offensive)

Top assists – Mark Gamboa – 6 assists

Top steals – Joma Adornado – 4 steals

Top blocks – Chibueze Ikeh – 2 blocks

Top turnovers – Tomas Ramos/Sega Ewenike – 3 turnovers

Fr. Martin’s Cup II

Group A: Ateneo de Manila University, Arellano University, College of Saint Benilde, Diliman Preparatory School, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Trinity University of Asia, and University of the East.

Group B: Angeles University Foundation, Colegio de San Juan De Letran, De La Salle University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Enderun College, National University, San Beda College, University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, and University of the Philippines.