Gomez de Liano, UP score huge to stun Ateneo in City Hoops

MANILA, Philippines -- Juan Gomez de Liano heated up just in time for the University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons, leading the league-leaders to a 71-66 win over defending UAAP Champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Saturday at the indoor courts of Greenhills West.

With the win, UP remains unscathed in four games in the 2018 Smart City Hoops Under-25 Summer Classic. But beyond the win, it proved that the Fighting Maroons can keep up with the reigning UAAP kings.

"I told the guys, we need to figure out how to beat the best team," said UP head coach Bo Perasol. "That is not to say na it's their best showing. But at least we could tell ourselves that we have a chance against the champions."

Ateneo was up by as much as 12 points, 36-24, with 2:35 left in the first half. Behind Bright Akhuetie and Juan Gomez de Liano, the Fighting Maroons were able to surge in the final frame, tying the contest at 63-all after a triple by the younger De Liano with 1:30 remaining in the game.

A turnover by the Blue Eagles seconds later paved the way for a booming triple by De Liano for the go-ahead bucket. The collapse continued for the Blue Eagles in the next possession as a turnover by Gian Mamuyac led to a corner triple by Jan Jaboneta to seal the game for the Fighting Maroons.

Akhuetie towed UP with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six steals while De Liano added 17 points, spiked by three triples.

"Nasa kanya na 'yun. He tells me if he wants to rest," Perasol remarked about his sophomore, who also plays for the Gilas Cadets. "Si Paul [Desiderio] ganun din, nagkasakit pa dahil sa pagod. We have to figure out what we need tomorrow."

The Blue Eagles, who fell to 1-2, were led by rookie SJ Belangel with 16 markers.

In the first game, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights were able to even their slate at 2-2, scraping past the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 62-59.

Larry Muyang, who is a former DLSU Green Archer, towed the Knights with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Team captain Bong Quinto supplied 10 markers.

Letran was on the verge of breaking the game wide-open entering the final frame, leading by as much as 12 points, 48-36. The Blazers though, just like in their first two games of the tournament, did not give up easily.

Behind the towering Jay Pangalanganan and Eric Pili, the Blazers were able to slice the lead to just three, 57-60, with 1:18 remaining. Though able to get some stops, Benilde could not convert on the other end. Pili was able to score with 3.1 ticks left to cut the lead to just a solitary point. On the other end, Jeo Ambohot missed both of his free throws but Bonbon Batiller was there to clean it up as time expired.

Pangalanan paced Benilde with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

On Wednesday, the league will feature a triple-header. The Lyceum Pirates (0-3) fight for their lives when they take on the Blazers at 1:30 p.m. An old rivalry will be rekindled afterward as the Blue Eagles face the Knights at 3:00 p.m. Closing out the day will be a showdown between the FEU Tamaraws and the Fighting Maroons.

The Scores:

First Game:

CSJL 62 - Muyang 13, Quinto 10, Calvo 8, Ambohot 7, Batiller 7, Yu 5, Agbong 4, Taladua 4, Balagasay 3, Fajarito 1, Galvelo 0, Mandreza 0, Celis 0, Luciano 0, Pambid 0, Banez 0.

CSB 59 - Pangalanan 22, Pili 13, Ocampo 9, Carlos 4, Flores 3, Miranda 2, San Juan 2, Nayve 2, Barnes 2, Velasco 0, Belgica 0.

Quarterscores: 13-8, 26-22, 48-36, 62-59.

Second Game:

UP 71 - Akhuetie 22, Gomez de Liano Ju. 17, Manzo 10, Gomez de Liano Ja. 6, Vito 6, Dario 4, Jaboneta 3, Prado 3, Murrell 0, Lim 0.

ADMU 66 - Belangel 16, Go 9, Verano 9, White 8, Wong 6, Dawan 6, Credo 5, Berjay 2, Natividad 2, Mamuyac 2, Andrade 1, Asistio 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 30-39, 46-52, 71-66.