ATENEO captured the inaugural World University Basketball Series crown after a huge 68-59 triumph over Tokai University of Japan on Thursday at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Dave Ildefonso unloaded 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists for the Blue Eagles, who went through some nervy moments in the endgame after resurgent Japanese crew came charging back from a 15-point hole, 60-45 in the final 3:15.
[See Ateneo Blue Eagles fight back to beat NCCU of Taipei]
Tokai forced Ateneo into committing three turnovers in one sequence to get within six, 65-59, in the last 29.1 seconds, but Kai Ballungay and Sean Quitevis put the title under wraps with clutch free throws.
The win capped a sweet sweep for the Blue Eagles, who beat Universitas Pelita Harapan of Indonesia by 86 points and came from behind to deny National Chengchi University of Chinese Taipei in the four-team, five-day tournament.
Josh Lazaro chimed in eight points and 13 rebounds as BJ Andrade, Forthsky Padrigao, and Paul Garcia all had eight each.
Geo Chiu also had a solid statline of six points, 15 boards, and two blocks to make up for Kai Ballungay's silent five-point night.
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