Ateneo, Letran score thrillers in Freego Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo overcame University of the East and pulled off a thrilling 82-77 win to kick off its back-to-back title bid in the PCABL (Philippine Chinese Amateur Basketball League) seventh Freego Cup at the Phil. Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City recently.

Sean Ildefonso, son of two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildelfonso, took charge for the Eaglets, scoring 12 of his 22 points in the payoff period as Ateneo fended off the Junior Warriors in the opener of the annual pre-season tournament presented by Freego.

Ildefonso, who took the Freego Player of the Game award, also drew support from Brix Ramos, who chipped in 18 markers.

Other opening day winners were La Salle-Zobel, which scored an 82-49 rout over NCAA runner-up San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and Letran which outlasted reigning UAAP champion National University, 69-55.

University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, had to pass through the proverbial eye of the needle before subduing Lyceum, 63-60, in the tournament also sponsored by Smart Telecom, Fresh Gear (FG), Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Colt Commercial, K Tech Sports, Insular Square of Cebu and Cebu Pioneer Auto Supply.

Letran’s Jerrick Balanza put on a shooting clinic early as he tallied 13 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter to help the Squires stun the Bullpups.

Also shining on opening day were UST’s Vince Ferrer and La Salle’s Alwin Jay Melencio who sizzled for 17 and 14 points, respectively, to lead their respective schools to victory.

Meanwhile, three more teams debut tomorrow with University of the Philippines tangling with Adamson at 9:30 a.m. and Far Eastern University facing off with Letran at 1 p.m.