Ateneo-Pioneer rallies to beat Kutitap

Ateneo-Pioneer unleashed a 15-0 blitz in the fourth quarter to turn back Kutitap Toothpaste, 68-60, yesterday in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Leo Avenido, who plays for the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP, led the Blue Eagle Insurers with 23 points as he joined hands with Enrico Villanueva in the decisive assault.

The victory was the third straight for Ateneo-Pioneer which improved to 4-4. However, it proved to be a costly one as the team lost slotman Billy Mamaril to injury in the opening quarter.

In the other game, Welcoat needed an extra push to beat Montana Pawnshop in overtime, 72-63, and snap a four-game losing streak. The Paint Masters improved their record to 4-4 while Montana slipped to 2-7.

The 6-foot-6 Mamaril sprained his ankle with barely a minute gone in the game and had to be rushed to the hospital.

"It’s now a three-game winning streak but Mamaril’s loss will be a big setback for us," said Ateneo-Pioneer coach Ricky Dandan after the game punctuated by 10 lead changes and three deadlocks.

Kutitap, which absorbed its fifth loss in eight outings, took a 53-47 lead before Ateneo-Pioneer unloaded the 15-0 blast en route to a 62-53 lead with only 2:28 remaining.

A basket by Ricky Natividad broke a seven-minute silence for the Teeth Sparklers. Then a triple by Allan Salansang further trimmed the deficit to within 58-62, time down to 1:37.

But it proved to be Kutitap’s last stand as it was held to just two points – courtesy of Salansang – the rest of the way.

Villanueva was held to 10 points but did a lot of damage underneath with his 15 rebounds. Natividad, Salansang and Cyrus Baquio scored a dozen points each for Kutitap.