MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo needed a strong fourth-quarter start to turn back Mapua, 109-102, to create a three-way tie for No. 1 spot in Group A of the third Freego Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) Cup at the Phil. Buddhacare Gym in Quezon City.
Antonio Asistio drilled back-to-back triples to start the final quarter that allowed the Blue Eaglets to regain momentum and tied their victims and La Salle Greenhills with 3-1 mark apiece in the annual high school cagefest also supported by Smart Communications.
Ateneo was trailing 80-83 at the end of third when Asistio buried two straight three-pointers for an 86-83 lead then Von Pessumal and Kiefer Ravena took charge since then for the Eaglets and never relinquished the lead.
Pessumal finished with a triple-double performance with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists to earn the Freego Player of the Game honor. Ravena had a game-high 22 points. Asistio hit five triples to emerge as the Energen 3-Point Shooter of the contest.
The Greenies demolished Chiang Kai Shek College, 82-55, to nail their third win in the tournament also supported by Mighty Sports, Colt Commercial, Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc., Powerbest Marketing Inc., Mandarin Sky Seafood & Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Multimotors Auto Part Inc. and Apple Tape.