From The Wires
Undefeated teams National University and Adamson University as well as Far Eastern University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde dominated their respective foes to reach the semifinals of the 2024 ANTA Asiabasket International Championship on Sunday at the Enderun Colleges, BGC.
Jolo Manansala provided some quality minutes for the NU Bulldogs and starred in their 83-63 quarterfinals victory against reigning NCAA champion San Beda University to march on to their fifth win in as many games.
Manansala put together a team-high of 16 points along with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 16 minutes of action while Mohammed Diassana made sure to provide the lift with his 14 markers and four boards.
Likewise, the Adamson Soaring Falcons continued to soar above their opponents with the Phenom Blue Fire emerging as their latest victim after they pulled off a dominant 105-80 triumph.
And starring for the San Marcelino-based crew were AJ Fransman and Cedrick Manzano with the former dropping 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal while the latter churned out 15 markers, seven boards, and one dime to help Adamson barge into the Final Four.
Another UAAP squad will advance to the semifinals after the FEU Tamaraws sent National Formosa University-Taiwan home with a 94-89 victory while the Benilde Blazers remain as the only NCAA team in contention after dismantling Mapua University, 90-63.
And it was Veejay Pre who shone the brightest anew for the wards of FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
The rookie sensation carried the offense with his 26-point outing that he spiked with 13 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block while another youngster in Janrey Pasaol supplied the help with 17 markers, seven boards, two swats, and two rejections.
Benilde, missing the services of stars Tony Ynot and Allen Liwag, leaned on Matthew Oli and Jesse Arciaga with the tandem combining for 23 points as Paul Turco and Roger Ondoa each had nine points to help the cause.
Both NU and Adamson swept the group stage and both teams will also look to extend their winning ways come the semifinals, where NU will take on FEU at 6 p.m. while Adamson will square off with Benilde in the other bracket set at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
THE SCORES:
FIRST GAME:
National University (83) – Manansala 16, Diassana 14, Figueroa 12, John 9, Lim 8, Padrones 5, Garcia 4, Santiago 3, Yu 3, Francisco 3, Enriquez 2, Perciano 2, Jumamoy 2, Reyes 0.
San Beda University (63) – Sajonia 19, Andrada 12, Songcuya 10, Alloso 5, Bonzalida 5, Tagala 3, Gonzales 2, Calimag 2, Estacio 2, Torres 2, Royo 1, Jalbuena 0, Culdora 0, Payosing 0.
SECOND GAME:
Benilde Blazers (90) – Oli 12, Arciaga 11, Turco 9, Ondoa 9, Torres 8, Sangco 7, Cajucom 5, Eusebio 5, Nacua 5, Jalalon 5, Ancheta 4, Jarque 3, Victoria 3, Serrano 2, Sanchez 2, Vanguardia 0, Galas 0.
Mapua (63) – Lazarte 15, Pantaleon 13, Gonzales 12, Eligado 6, Agemenyi 4, Asuncion 3, Nitura 3, Ryan 2, Mensah 2, Macaranas 2, Valentin 1, Reyno 0, Mejia 0, Pabilona 0.
THIRD GAME:
FEU (94) – Pre 26, Pasaol 17, Konateh 14, Daa 13, Montemayor 7, Bagunu 5, Ona 4, Felipe 4, Alforque 2, Jones 2.
National Formosa (89) – Ko 20, Nchekwube 19, Wang 19, Lin 13, Liu 7, Shen 4, Lai 3, Yeh 3, Lee 1, Wei 0.
FOURTH GAME:
Adamson University (105) – Fransman 18, Ronzone 11, Manzano 15, Pacquiao 12, Torres 8, Yerro 7, Competente 7, Cañete 6, Calisay 5, Manzon 4, Anabo 4, Gaye 4, Ignacio 2, Erolon 2.
Phenom (80) – Osang 20, Daja 16, Jucom 12, Moumbagna 12, Peña 6, Gaspay 6, Mazano 5, Dimaunahan 3, Nablo 0, Despi 0.
Games on Monday (July 15):
4 p.m. – Benilde Blazers vs Adamson Soaring Falcons
6 p.m. – FEU Tamaraws vs NU Bulldogs
Games on Tuesday (July 16):
4 p.m. – Third Place Game
6 p.m. – Finals | Championship Game
