UST overhauls Ateneo in FCBL

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas handed Ateneo’s first loss with an 85-71 victory to stop its own two-game losing skid in the third Freego Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) Cup at the Phil. Buddhacare Gym in Quezon City.

The Tigers took advantage of the absence of RP Youth members Von Pessumal and Paolo Romero for the Blue Eaglets and banked on the strong performance of Kevin Ferrer to grab their first win in the annual high school cagefest also supported by Smart Communications.

Pessumal and Romero sat out due to injuries and UST capitalized on that and immediately dominated the match, taking a 46-33 halftime cushion and never relinquished the lead.

Ferrer finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the Tigers Cubs to earn the Freego Player of the Game honor. Kiefer Ravena was the only Ateneo player in double figures with 22.

The Blue Eaglets dropped to 2-1 for solo second spot in Group A of the tournament also supported by Mighty Sports, Energen, Colt Commercial, Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc., Powerbest Marketing Inc., Mandarin Sky Seafood & Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Multimotors Auto Part Inc. and Apple Tape.

In other games, San Beda College demolished Adamson, 90-46, Mapua survived STI, 75-71, while Far Eastern University returned to its winning ways with a masterful 88-85 conquest over La Salle Zobel.

Chris Javier led the Red Cubs with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and handed the Baby Falcons their third straight loss in as many games.

Kevin de Castro paced the Red Robins with 14 points and 19 boards to grab the solo top spot in Group A with 3-0 mark. Reno Alcantara led STI with 25 markers.

FEU leaned on Austin Fabian’s 27-point and 11-assist performance to book its second win Group B. Mykee Capacio led the Junior Archers with 18 points.