Ateneo routs SBC, rules Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo shackled San Beda in the third quarter and fashioned out a 68-51 rout to clinch the seniors crown in the 11th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the Trinity University of Asia gym in Quezon City over the weekend.

Jerie Pingoy and Joma Adornado hit triples while the rest backed them up with a gritty defense that forced a series of turnovers as the Eagles pulled away from a tight 28-all game in the early going of the third to win pulling away.

Adornado, Pingoy and Alfonso Gotladera scored 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Blue Eagles, who clinched their first crown in the tournament.

John Apacible Jr. and Jobert Mercado scored 26 and 15 points, respectively, as Hope Christian School also came through with a runaway 72-58 victory over the Adamson Falcons to bag the juniors title.

“It was defense that did it for us. Ever since I have been reminding them about it. With defense, offense will follow. The players wanted it. They showed intensity in this game,” said Blue Eagles coach Yuri Escueta.

With Pingoy and Adornado burying triples and 6-10 Nigerian Tochukwu Ewenike dominating both lanes, the Eagles rolled to a 42-33 lead with 3:37 to go in the contest.

A triple by Mikee Cabahug at the end of the third gave Ateneo a big 50-39 cushion. The Eaglers were never threatened from there.

Cameroonian cager Donald Tankoua fired 19 points while Alfred Sedilla had nine, Reyes and Jeremer Cabanag contributed eight markers for the Lions.