Ateneo, CKSC forge duel for Jumbo Cup crown

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and Chiang Kai Shek College downed their respective semifinal rivals to arrange a highly-anticipated showdown for the first Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup 2014 crown at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City.

Despite their star-studded line-up, the Eaglets still needed to rally to eke out an 83-80 win over the Adamson Baby Falcons, while the CKSC Dragons repulsed the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 79-75.

The one-game face-off is set Sunday also at the same venue with Jumbo Plastic Linoleum top executive Jefferson dela Cruz invited to award the championship trophy.

Coming into the game unbeaten following a seven-game sweep of the elims, the Eaglets fell behind by five points, 75-80, with less than a minute left in the contest.

But Gian Mamuyac came through with a tough drive and a trey to tie the game at 80 before Enzo Joson completed a three-point play off another inbound steal to snatch the victory.

Phl Under-17 center Matt Nieto led Ateneo with 29 points and eight rebounds while Jolo Mendoza, another Phl U-17 standout, and Mamuyac chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the tournament also sponsored by Smart Telecommunications, K-tech Sports, Inc., Powerbest Marketing, CW Home Depot, Powerhouse and Dickies Underwear.

It was a heartbreaker of a loss for the Adamson Falcons, who led by double digits in the first half only to falter down the stretch.

The Dragons also got off to roaring start, leading by as many as 26 points in the second quarter before the Baby Tamaraws struck back in the third and produced several spurts to keep the game close.