MANILA, Philippines - Fran Yu came through with clutch plays as Chiang Kai Shek College stunned Ateneo, 87-77, to rule the first Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup 2014 at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City over the weekend.
With the 5-foot-7 Yu taking charge, the CKSC Blue Dragons exploded for 14 points while holding the Eaglets to just four markers in the last three minutes to add the tournament to their growing list of titles.
JV Gallego led CKSC with 22 points but it was Yu who delivered the shots that mattered most to shatter the fancied Eaglets.
Powered by Philippine team Under-17 standouts Jolo Mendoza and Mike Nieto, Ateneo came into the game riding on an eight-game run, including a 71-67 win over the Blue Dragons in the opening day and a come-from-behind 83-80 victory over the Adamson Falcons in the semis.
But this time, the Blue Dragons came armed to the teeth.
Aside from his crafty plays and ferocious rebounding that resulted to a game-high six assists and seven boards, Yu knocked down 21 markers, including a completed steal that gave them a 76-73 lead.
A three-point play by Jonas Tibayan dashed Ateneo’s hopes for a fightback as the Blue Dragons surged to an 80-73 lead with less than a minute left.
Also shining for the Goldwyn Monteverde-mentored Chiang Kai Shek College was Shannon Gagate who chipped in 15 points while Tibayan tallied 11 points.