A DAY after Bo Perasol was officially announced as their new head coach, the Ateneo Blue Eagles lost to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 82-76, in game one of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Finals at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
Aside from six early points from Kiefer Ravena, the Blue and White found baskets difficult to come by. The Tiger forward duo of Karim Abdul and Melo Afuang handed UST a 14-8 lead four minutes in. Meanwhile, UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player Nico Salva failed to make any of his four attempts in the quarter.
Tonino Gonzaga made his presence felt, as he scored five points that put the Blue Eagles to within one, 17-18, until Kevin Ferrer’s jumper upped UST’s lead. Greg Slaughter closed the quarter with a jumper of his own as UST took the opening canto, 20-19.
The second quarter was much better for the five-peat champs, who went on an 11-2 run, capped off by Salva’s first conversion that pegged the score at 37-28 with roughly five minutes remaining in the first half.
Jeric Fortuna got things going for the Tigers with a three-pointer, but the Blue Eagles held their advantage up until the dying moments of the half as the España-based squad went on a 6-0 run that brought the lead down to three, 42-39.
Ferrer came off quick after the break, scoring four straight points that handed UST the lead, 43-42. Both teams then traded baskets, until the Tigers managed a slim two-point lead to end the third quarter, 60-58, care of an Aljon Mariano jumper.
UST did not allow the Blue Eagles to get ahead of them in the early minutes of the fourth quarter until Ravena’s free throws and a Gonzaga layup in transition put Ateneo up by three, 73-70, with less than three minutes to go.
Despite this, the Blue Eagles’ momentum was halted when they were called for their third technical foul—the second foul on Slaughter for touching the ball after it had gone through the hoop. The ensuing free throws ignited an 8-0 run for the Tigers that swung the advantage their way, 78-73, with under a minute left.
Ryan Buenafe handed the Blue Eagles a lifeline with a three-pointer with 15 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough as free throws from Jeric Teng and Mariano clinched the win for UST, 82-76.
Kevin Ferrer led all players in scoring with 18 points—he shot perfectly from the field. On the other hand, Slaughter led Ateneo with 10 points.
The Blue Eagles will look to avenge their loss and extend the series during game two at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, December 4, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
