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| Kai Ballungay continues his stellar showing for Ateneo in the AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship. AsiaBasket |
LAS PINAS–The 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship capped its Saturday quadruple header at the Villar Coliseum here with a marquee showdown between Ateneo and College of St. Benilde.
The Blue Eagles played the first two minutes of the game flat with the Blazers scoring back-to-back baskets to start the clash.
However, following a Joseph Obasa block on Will Gozum and a Kai Ballungay jumper that began a 13-0 run, Ateneo surged ahead and eventually took control of the game.
By the second quarter, the Blue Eagles established its largest lead at 16 points, 39-23, and they seemed to be on their way to a blowout win.
However, the Blazers went on a 9-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to cut the lead down to seven, 75-68, with 4:59 remaining.
Ballungay and Obasa finally put the game away for Ateneo as they connived on a 10-2 run to up the lead back to 15, 85-70, with 2:26 remaining.
Miggy Corteza scored on a dunk, while Migs Oczon hit back-to-back threes to give CSB a strong finish despite the defeat.
Ballungay led Ateneo, now on top of Group A at 2-0, with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Obasa barely missed on a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points alongside two assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Oczon led CSB, which fell to 0-2, with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Corteza added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Box Scores:
Ateneo 85 – Ballungay 19, Obasa 9, Gomez 8, Nieto 8, Quitevis 7, Brown 6, Koon 6, Credo 6, Tuano 4, Chiu 4, Garcia 3, Amos 3, Lazaro 2
CSB 78 – Oczon 17, Corteza 13, Sangco 9, Nayve 9, Mara 9, Gozum 8, Marasigan 7, Jarque 4, Turco 2, Jalalon 0, Marcos 0, Cajucom 0, Flores 0, Davis 0, Morales 0
Quarterscores: 27-17, 47-34, 65-52, 85-78
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