Ateneo, Enderun, Arellano book wins in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo, Enderun College and the Arellano University pulled of contrasting wins Monday in the resumption of the 12th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Hubert Cani topscored for 16 points as defending champion Ateneo smothered College of St. Benilde, 75-55, and coasted to their fourth straight win in Group B of this cagefest, which is supported by Bauerfeind and Wang’s Basketball.

The Enderun Titans, led by Jordan Rios with 34 points, took charge early and subdued the La Salle Green Archers, 81-63, and picked up their second win in five games in Group A.

Daryl Capara scored the winning basket in the last 15 seconds for the Arellano Chiefs, who won over Letran-A, 65-62, and improved at 1-1 in Group A.

Cani struck hard in the third period, pouring in 16 points during third quarter run which allowed the Blue Eagles to move away by 17 points, 57-40.

In other matches, Dave Cabanilla made 23 points for the Adamson Baby Falcons as they beat the Arellano Braves, 80-76, and San Benilde prevailed over Far Eastern University, 66-60, in the junior division.

Last Saturday, the Technological Institute of the Philippines-A Engineers swamped St. Michael College-Laguna, 102-11, with Raymond Alvarado hitting 17 points, while Mark Tamayo had 17 points for Angeles University Foundation as they won over TIP-B, 79-69.

San Beda-B outplayed San Sebastian, 76-66, while San Beda-A turned back Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 62-56.

Also in the junior action, St. Jude waylaid University of Santo Tomas, 75-48.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles took charge early after building a 24-8 lead in the first period, and with Francesco Asuncion and Adrian Wong contributing 10 points apiece.

The Titans surprised the Green Archers with an 11-0 salvo in the first quarter, with Rios delivering 12 points as they took a 23-13 first quarter edge.