Blue Eaglets down Squires, near FCBL sweep

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo foiled Letran’s rally to hack out a 96-92 victory and notch its seventh straight win in the TriDharma Mktg. Corp. Filipino-Chinese Basketball League second Freego Jeans’ Cup Saturday at Buddhacare Gym near Araneta Ave. in Quezon City.

Rafhael Banal, son of former pro Joel Banal, made key baskets down the stretch to help the Blue Eaglets preserve their unbeaten slate in the tournament backed by Energen Cereal Energy Drink, Hi-Smart Vitamins and Nutri-C Juice.

Banal, named the Hi-Smart Player of the Game, finished with 23 points while Von Pessumal chipped in 23 for Ateneo, which moved a win away from sweeping the elims and claiming the No. 1 spot in the semis.

Glenn Khobuntin and Jerelan Tampus scored 25 and 21 points, respectively, for the Squires, who fell to 3-3 in the high school cagefest supported by Revolution Denim, Dickies Underwear, Old Chinatown Koptitiam, Clincher Packaging Tape, Nougat Candy, Colt Commercial, Powerbest Marketing Inc. and Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc.

In other games, San Beda firmed up its hold of second spot with an 82-77 win over La Salle-Zobel. Baser Amer had 24 points to lead the Red Cubs who improved to 6-1.

Luigi de la Paz led all scorers with 28 points for the Junior Archers, who took their second straight loss for a 3-3 mark.

University of Santo Tomas (4-3) posted its fourth win with an 84-46 rout of Chiang Kai Shek College (1-6). Jose Rizal University (4-3) also cruised past St. Jude (0-7), 86-38.