Severe Beatings

A sparse crowd witnessed the blue boys blow the Webmasters
out of the San Juan Arena.
(image by Jonas Terrado)

2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Final 4 - Day 1

The PCCL, where there are severe beatings -- literally and figuratively.

ATENEO BLUE EAGLES over UNIV. OF CEBU WEBMASTERS, 100-53

Well that was not exactly a doozy. Doze-worthy perhaps. With Junmar Fajardo playing sparingly and none of the other Cebuanos able to carry the scoring load, the PCCL 3-peat seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles clawed their way to a rout.

Fajardo, nursing an injury he sustained in the earlier rounds of the tournament, came off the bench and played only 14 minutes (none in the 2nd half), producing 12 points and collaring 9 caroms. His counterpart form the Loyola, Greg Slaughter, produced a double-double statline -- 18 markers and 11 boards, while Ateneo's other beanpole, JP Erram, also did well, scoring 13 points on an immaculate 5-for-5 shooting.

Junmar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter -- the future
frontline of Team Philippines?
(image by Jonas Terrado)

Ateneo 100 – Slaughter 18, Salva 18, Erram 13, Ravena 12, Gonzaga 10, Long 7, Chua 6, Austria 6, Tiongson 4, Capacio 3, Golla 2, Pessumal 1, Estrada 0, Sumalinog 0, Cipriano 0

UC 53 – Fajardo 12, Auditor 11, Aranas 10, Heruela 8, Pao 6, Ampoon 4, Ocariza 2, Mohammad 0, Bagnol 0, Batino 0, Bercede 0

QS: 28-10, 54-30, 82-39, 100-53

SAN SEBASTIAN GOLDEN STAGS over SAN BEDA RED LIONS, 87-72

Though the final score might suggest otherwise, this was actually a heated affair. With the fallout from the weekend's tussle between San Beda's basketball team and Baste's volleyball players and coaches serving as an ominous backdrop, it was no wonder a brawl was just  waiting to happen

Calvin Abueva's Golden Stags were quite unforgiving
in their win over the Red Lions.
(image by Diana Moraleda/Inboundpass.com)

The Stags, though, faired much better, taking the win amidst a fight-marred match against a severely undermanned Red Lions quintet.

Here's an excerpt from the game report of Inboundpass.com's Adrian Dy:

"San Sebastian was up 83-70 with 2:23 left in the game when Kyle Pascual’s forearm caught the nape of Calvin Abueva from behind, to which Abueva responded to by swinging his arm, hitting his defender, Rome de la Rosa. Pint-sized Anjo Caram then got into the scrum, which got players and coaches from both teams off their seats and onto the court, as they, along with uniformed security, separated the two parties. Not only were Pascual and Abueva ejected, but four Stags, Josh Grilli, Arvin Vitug, Michael Miranda and Kruschev Ferrer, and two Red Lions, Ryusei Koga and Michole Sorela, were similarly booted from the area for illegally entering the playing court."

San Beda was missing key players Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual and Sudan Daniel due to various illnesses while the Semerad twins are no longer part of the program (they've reportedly traded their red fur for blue feathers).

Baste big man Ian Sangalang produced a double-double -- 20 points and 12 rebounds while making 10 of his 19 attempts from the field. Abueva also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The win might be costly, though, as ace gunner Ronald Pascual left early after falling awkwardly on his left knee.

San Sebastian 87 – Sangalang 20, Abueva 19, Pascual 15, dela Cruz 13, del Rio 8, Maiquez 8, Miranda 4, Balucanag 0, Vitug 0

San Beda 72 – De la Rosa 13, Lim 10, K. Pascual 9, Amer 9, Villahermosa 9, Sorela 8, Marcelo 7, Koga 5, Caram 2, Pontejos 0

QS: 18-22, 45-34, 71-54, 87-72

Games today (San Juan Arena):

2pm - Ateneo Blue Eagles vs San Sebastian Golden Stags

4pm - Univ. of Cebu Webmasters vs San Beda Red Lions