NGBL: Ateneo stuns Xavier; FEU-D, NUNS win

ATENEO de Manila University made some noise in its Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) debut.

The Blue Eaglets defeated Xavier School, 68-67, during their Sunday afternoon faceoff at the Tanduay Gym in Manila in the league that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.

“Sobrang lupit. ‘Di ko inaakala yun eh, pero sa teammate ko talaga ‘yon,” said World Balance Player of the Game Jay M Leal who had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.

Leal was referring to the buzzer-beating floater of his fellow Blue Eaglet Renzo Gatmaitan who tallied two of his nine total points in the most crucial point of the contest.

As ADMU was down by a point with only 3.2 seconds remaining in the game, Chris Urbina dished the inbound pass to Gatmaitan who then faked his defender to get some space and drove to the basket.    He eventually sank the game-winning floater to give the Loyola-based school a winning debut in the NGBL.

On the other hand, leading the valiant stand of Xavier were Gavin Uy and Andrew Chio who each had 15 in their debut in the NGBL which is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas, the official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, Tanduay Athletics, MET Food Corporation, official hydration partners Gatorade & Summit Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs.

Meanwhile, in another close encounter, Far Eastern University-Diliman toppled San Beda University, 62-59.

“Ginawa namin lahat. Nung naghahabol kami, sinabi lang ni coach Allan [Albano], bawi lang tayo. Ginawa lang namin lahat sa depensa, at nag usap-usap lang kami sa loob, said WB Player of the Game Wilham Cabonilas who had 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block.

“Ginawa ko lang lahat at tinulungan ko lang yung teammates ko,” added the young Baby Tamaraws star for his team which improved to 1-1.

After trailing by eight earlier in the game, FEU-Diliman saw itself tied with SBU at 48 midway through the fourth.

The Baby Tams then went on to create a 56-50 cushion after pouring in an eight-to-two spurt led by a triple by Jheremy Godoy at the 4:07 mark.

Later on, the Red Cubs had a last chance to tie the game as they were able to get to within three, 62-59, after Juris San Juan hit a trey with only eight ticks left in the game, but that was the closest that they could get as Randaile Medroso and Francis Dollente both missed on their attempt to tie the game.

Leading SBU which also is now at 1-1 in Group B was MJ Vailoces’ 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

In the opener, National University- Nazareth School manhandled Jose Rizal University, 81-52 as they bounced back from its opening defeat against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA last Sunday.

“Nag adjust lang po kami sa pagkatalo namin sa Perpetual,” said WB Player of the Game Jid Locsin who had 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

”Ginawa lang namin po yung lahat sa practice at binigay namin lahat sa game. Nag focus lang kami, at nag-adjust lang kami mula sa masakit na pagkatalo namin,” he continued.

After a close encounter in the opener, the Collins Akowe-less Bullpups created an eight-point cushion at halftime after baskets from JM Palanca, Gab Nepacena, and Locsin.

Unfortunately for the Light Bombers, National U went berserk in the second half and created a lead that grew to as much as 33 in the fourth canto, and that proved to be enough for the Bullpups to move up to 1-1 in Group A.

JRU, which was led by Jayson Castillo’s 10 and John Paul Correa’s nine, is still winless in two games. 

The scores:

First game:

NUNS (81) — Palanca 13, Locsin 12, Nepacena 12, Alfanta 10, Cartel 9, Matias 6, Bouzina 6, Montinola 4, Solomon 4, Cabrales 3, Pillado 2, Timbang 0, Natgina 0.

JRU (52) — Castillo 10, Correa 9, Ferrer 7, Tolworthy 6, Pinzon 6, Almario 5, Marin 2, Abequibel 2, Lacusong 0, Satparam 0, Palacpac 0, To 0, Aballe 0, Ong 0.

Second game: 

FEU-D (62) —  Cabonilas 16, Godoy 12, Salangsang 10, Pascual 8, Maierhofer 3, Esperanza 2, De Guzman 2, Dagcutan 2, Santos 2, Cagurungan 2, Rañeses 2, Castillejos 1, Hall 0, Gemao 0.

SBU (59) —  Vailoces 14, San Juan 12, Batongbakal 9, Dollente 9, Medroso 5, Wagan 4, Reroma 4, Winters 2, Bautista 0, Villanueva 0, Mondigo 0, Agbayani 0, Jomasela 0.

Third game:

Ateneo (680 — Leal 21, Gatmaitan 9, Silvestre 8, Delos Santos 8, Urbina 5, Kallos 5, Tan 2, Reyes 2, Kaw 2, Ymasa 2, Aquino 2, Trinidad 2, Asistio 0, Suico 0, Lacsamana 0.

Xavier School (67) —  Chio 15, Uy 15, Choa 7, Fernandez 7, Yu 6, Yaomuntek 5, Go 5, Tan 3, Ramirez 2, Co 2, Cue 0, Lagar 0, Escudero 0.