THE ATENEO Blue Eagles strike gold in the inaugural World University Basketball Series after shutting down the Tokai University Seagulls (TUS) from Japan, 68-59, earlier today. The game was held at Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Veteran small forward Dave Ildefonso led the Blue Eagles on the scoreboard as he put up 14 markers–six of which came in the last quarter.

Despite a game plagued with turnovers, the Blue and White was able to fend off their opponents by hitting crucial shots at the near end of the match. At the start of the fourth quarter, three-pointers from Ildefonso and Paul Garcia paved the way for Ateneo to extend their lead to as much as 15 points, 65-50. 

However, late in the final window of regulation, the Seagulls utilized a full-court trap which forced the Blue Eagles into costly turnovers. With the defensive strategy, Tokai managed to cut down the Blue Eagles’ lead to only six points, 65-59, with 29.1 seconds left on the clock.

The Katipunan-based squad was unfazed by the stifling Seagulls defense as Ateneo weathered the storm and improved their offensive movement. Clutch free throws from  Kai Ballungay and Sean Quitives ultimately stamped the game in favor of the Blue Eagles, 68-59. 

With the impressive sweep, Coach Tab Baldwin and his boys were crowned the first-ever champions of the three-day pocket tournament World University Basketball Series.

Box Scores:

Ateneo (68) – Ildefonso 14, Andrade 8, Garcia 8, Lazaro 8, Padrigao 8, Chiu 6, Obasa 6, Ballungay 5, Quitevis 3, Koon 2, Gomez 0, Fetalvero 0.

TUS (59) – Matsuzaki 16, K. Nishida 13, Kanechika 9, Kodama 9, Maeno 4, Motoda 3, Kurokawa 2, Shimatani 2, Cho 1, Harper 0, Y. Nishida 0.

Quarter Scores: 

Ateneo-TUS: 14-16, 28-26, 43-41, 68-59.