Eagles, Tigers collide for PCCL crown

Game today (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)

3:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and UST go at it again for the last time with the Eagles hoping to complete a rare sweep of the season’s premier collegiate league crowns and the Tigers seeking payback and respect.

This is the decider of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League finals – a best-of-three that was stretched to the limit after the Eagles averted a meltdown to stop the Tigers, 70-69, in Game Two last week.

Gametime is at 3:30 p.m.

“This series will be decided by defense and how tough the players will play,” said Ateneo acting coach Gabby Severino.

But expect the Eagles, who swept the Tigers in the recent UAAP finals, to go full throttle in offense with Kiefer Ravena, Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva, Tonito Gonzaga and Greg Slaughter leading the charge.

Ravena erupted for 21 points in Game Two, including a shot-clock-beating triple that gave the Eagles a four-point cushion and a breakaway lay-up that nailed it.

“Magandang laban ito (This is going to be a good fight),” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, whose Tigers took the series’ opener, 82-76, but failed to complete their own sweep bid after blowing a one-point lead with just 11 seconds remaining while in possession.

Slaughter also shone the last time out, scoring 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds while Gonzaga hopes to duplicate his 13-point effort in Game Two.

But the Tigers are raring to get back at the Eagles and claim the “best-of-the-best” tag on a team anchored on Aljon Mariano, Jeric Fortuna, Jeric Teng, Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul.

Ateneo is actually gunning for its fourth title in this annual tournament among the country’s leading collegiate teams after its three-year reign was halted by last year’s eventual champion San Sebastian.

UST, on the other hand, is eyeing its first PCCL championship.

The winner will also receive P700,000.