Ateneo De Manila University strengthened its claim as the best collegiate team right now after holding off College of St. Benilde (CSB), 60-57, in the final of the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Pinas Championship on Sunday night, July 31, at the Villar Coliseum.
*Ateneo's Kai Ballungay against Will Gozum of CSB Blazers.*
The Blue Eagles completed a 7-0 sweep of the tournament, but unlike their first meeting, the Blazers came close to giving them a dent. After a tight first half, Ateneo tried to pull away and opened an 11-point lead, 48-37, with three and a half minutes left in the third quarter. CSB, however, bounced back and even took a 51-50 lead with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. While the Blue Eagles reclaimed the lead, the Blazers kept close with their tight defense and eventually decent looks to force overtime. However, off a timeout, Migs Oczon misfired a corner three in CSB’s first attempt, and Prince Carlos, after Joseph Obasa missed two free throws that could have iced the game already, misfired a pull-up three of his from the right win as time expired. Ian Espinosa stepped up for Ateneo with 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Kai Ballungay, named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and one block. Will Gozum led CSB, who failed to complete a happily-ever-after finish to their Cinderella run, 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.
*Ateneo's Kai Ballungay against Will Gozum of CSB Blazers.*
The Blue Eagles completed a 7-0 sweep of the tournament, but unlike their first meeting, the Blazers came close to giving them a dent. After a tight first half, Ateneo tried to pull away and opened an 11-point lead, 48-37, with three and a half minutes left in the third quarter. CSB, however, bounced back and even took a 51-50 lead with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. While the Blue Eagles reclaimed the lead, the Blazers kept close with their tight defense and eventually decent looks to force overtime. However, off a timeout, Migs Oczon misfired a corner three in CSB’s first attempt, and Prince Carlos, after Joseph Obasa missed two free throws that could have iced the game already, misfired a pull-up three of his from the right win as time expired. Ian Espinosa stepped up for Ateneo with 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Kai Ballungay, named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and one block. Will Gozum led CSB, who failed to complete a happily-ever-after finish to their Cinderella run, 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.