MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and Jose Rizal University-B stunned their respective fancied rivals to boost their quarterfinal bids in the 10th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the Trinity University of Asia gym in QC over the weekend.
Jerie Pingoy shot 21 points as the Blue Eagles trounced the NCAA titlist San Beda Red Lions, 75-69, while Abduladie Poutoudchi hit 16 points to power the Heavy Bombers past the University of Perpetual Help-B Altas, 69-60.
The victories thus firmed up the Blue Eagles (4-2) and the Heavy Bombers (4-1) bid for quarterfinals slots in Group A. The Lions dropped to 3-2.
The top four finishers in the two brackets will advance to the quarters of the cagefest supported by Twin Towers Bakery.
Mapua, meanwhile, drew 14 pionts from Josan Nimes as it routed St. Joseph College-Bulacan, 99-55.
In Group B, Earl Thompson sizzled for 22 points as the University of Perpetual Help-A Altas downed the JRU-A Heavy Bombers, 62-55, for their fifth straight win.
Paolo Taha shot nine points for the College of St. Benilde, which beat Far Eastern University-B, 77-52, for a 4-2 mark while Wilson Baltazar made 27 points to steer LPU-B to an 85-73 romp over San Sebastian-B.