Eagles, Stags stay hot; Junior Titans near sweep

MANILA, Philippines -- The Ateneo Blue Eagles, the San Sebastian Stags,  and  the AMA Computer University Junior Titans prevailed over separate rivals over the weekend in the 13th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

CJ Perez and Kenmark Carino led the Blue Eagles to a 71-62 smothering of the Cavite Altas, 71-62, and their fourth win in five games in Group A of the senior division.

The Junior Titans rode on the efforts of CJ Lumaque, JR Barde and Krosh Pascasio in getting past the San Sebastian Staglets, 92-65, and their seventh straight win Group A of the junior division, and move close to an eight game sweep.

The Blue Eagles, with Perez and Carino banging in 17 points apiece,  stayed on course for a quarterfinal seat in the senior division, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Lumaque, Pascasio and Barde shot 23, 10 and 8 points for the Junior Titans, who barged into the semifinals with their unbeaten record.

Rhanzelle Yong had 21 points as the San Sebastian Stags prevailed over the AMA Titans, 88-80, and earn their fourth straight triumph also in Group A of the senior action.

In other games, Christian Kakonda delivered 14 points as the UST Growling Tigers as they turned back Mary the Queen College, 58-54.

They stayed on track for a quarterfinal seat in Group B of the senior division with their 3-3 slate.

Arellano University got 28 points from Aaron Fermin in blasting the Philppine Cultural College Seagulls, 68-49, to improve at 4-4 in Group A of the junior matches.

The Blue Eagles broke off from a 30-all deadlock in the third quarter, relying on the triples of Anton Asistio and Cole Micek to move away, 50-30, in the last five minutes.