MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles forces a do-or-die in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League semifinals after a 74-62 win over San Beda University Red Lions on Thursday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
George Isaac Go led the way with double-double 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyler Tio and Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena added 18 and 11 points, respectively, for the Blue Eagles.
The UAAP men’s basketball champions pulled off the victory despite starting the game with just five players before four others came midway of the game due to their classes at Ateneo.
“I told the guys before the game. We only had five guys and they did a heck of a job. They kept the pace where it needed to be. That set the tone for when the other guys came in,” said Blue Eagles head coach Thomas Baldwin.
Trailing 16-18 after the first quarter, the Blue Eagles got it going in the second period on outside conversions by Go and contributions from Tio and Ravena for a 38-28 halftime lead.
The Blue Eagles kept the advantage in the third period but the Red Lions cut the deficit to as low as three points before Ateneo went for the kill behind Go and Tio for its largest lead at 72-56.
James Canlas finished with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Ilonggo Clint Doliguez and Calvin Oftana added 14 and 13 markers, respectively, for the NCAA champions Red Lions.
The Blue Eagles and the Red Lions will figure in a do-or-die Game 3 on Saturday evening with the winner taking on CESAFI champions University of Visayas Green Lancers on Monday./PN
