Eagles ward off Pirates in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles turned to Earl Murphy and Jerie Pingoy at endgame as they frustrated the Lyceum Philippines University-A Pirates, 84-80, over the weekend in the ongoing  10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

Their second straight win in Group A came as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and Far Eastern University-B turned back separate foes as well.

Cameroonian Abdouladif Poutouochi led the Heavy Bombers with 19 points, and as they whipped St. Joseph College-Bulacan, 122-51.

Joel Lee Yu scored a free throw in the last 8.2 seconds to lift the FEU-B Tamaraws to a 74-72 triumph over the San Sebastian College-A Stags.

Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said the top four finishers in each of the two brackets will qualify for the semifinals, and will fight for slots in the semifinals.

The Blue Eagles, rallying from eight points down in the third, overtook the Pirates behind a triple from Murphy in the last 1:20, 82-80.

After that, Pingoy’s two charities in the dying seconds sealed the win for the Blue Eagles.

Anton Asistio fired 21 points for the Blue Eagles, while Chibueze Ikeh banged in 18, and Pingoy drilled in 17.

CJ Perez had 25 points for the Stags, who had a chance to force overtime after Lee Yu split his charity shots, 72-74.

But, Raffy Gusi blew it after he scored only one of three freebies in the final 2.3 seconds.