The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets stumbled down the stretch and got ambushed, 82-89, by the Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV), in the San Remigio Properties Invitational on Thursday night at the Magis Eagles Arena in Canduman, Mandaue City.
The boys from Katipunan had control of the lead, and even held a 12-point cushion at halftime, 33-45. However, the collegiate squad from Victorias City in Negros Occidental fought right back with a fierce rally that pulled them to within two, 65-67.
CSAV eventually surged ahead, 72-67, but the boys of head coach Joe Silva did not lay back, and mounted their own rally to close the gap at 80-82. CSAV hotshot Jeffrey Manday, who was scorching the net all night long, then put the game away as he hit a shot clock-beating three-pointer over the outstretched arms of two defenders to raise the lead to five, 85-80, with just seconds remaining.
Manday finished with an incredible 39 points, highlighted by nine markers from beyond the arc. He also had five steals and three assists. Foreign player Junior Essakadoiulla had 10 points and six boards.
The Blue Eaglets got 23 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks from Dave Ildefonso, the son of many-time PBA MVP, Danny Ildefonso. SJ Belangel added 14 markers while Kai Sotto, undoubtedly the most-watched player of this tournament, finished with 13 points, 14 boards and four blocked shots.
Sister teams Ateneo de Cebu and the ADMU Blue Eaglets were still playing as of this writing, in the tournament being backed by Mark Ynoc, an Ateneo alumnus and general manager of San Remegio Properties.
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